Laois art exhibition will take you on a trip through the ages
Roksana Rohovskyi thanks everyone in Ukranian and her daughter Maria translates into English
A STUNNING exhibition of paintings titled ‘Emerald Reflections’ was recently launched by Roksana Rohovskyi in Mountmellick Library.
The Portlaoise-based artist, who is originally from Lviv in Ukraine, focuses on local nature and landmarks.
Speaking to the with help from her daughter Maria, Roksana said that in this exhibition she wants to show the vibrant landscape of Ireland, its natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Roksana said: “I also want to present works made during plein air paintings in different places in Ireland, where I could observe the colours, light and textures in real time. These result in a more accurate and vivid depiction of the landscape. This way, it is possible to convey the mood and atmosphere of a specific time and place, thanks to which the painting conveys a sense of immediacy and spontaneity.” A stunning two-piece plein air painting of The Rock of Dunamase, which Roksana created at a special time last October, takes pride of place on the gallery’s main wall.
Speaking about this piece, Roksana said: “The central part of the exhibition is an artwork that was recently presented at the World Art Exhibition in the UAE in Dubai titled ‘Atlas: Journey through the Ages’. That exhibition featured works by artists from 64 countries. My work was recognised for the best composition. With my artworks, I want to tell the whole world about the beauty of Ireland, about its history.
“Last October, we had the opportunity to observe a comet, which will reappear in 80,000 years. This painting portrays the comet’s appearance in a special place in Ireland – The Rock of Dunamase – where Celtic fortifications were built over 800 years ago.
“The painting is created in the style of impressionism, with oil paints and gold leaf and is a diptych piece. In my artwork, I depicted the boundlessness of the sky – a cosmic guest, and conveyed the deep-ochre incredible palette of colours of the autumn night. The combination of gold leaf with the lower moonlight and a rich palette of muted green colours adds magic and mystery to the picture.” Included in the exhibition are some of Roksana’s paintings on glass.
Roksana said: “I paint icons on glass and make copies of old stained-glass windows. Stained-glass art is a mesmerising technique that transforms clear panes into radiant compositions of colour and light. This artistic practice begins with meticulously selecting the glass, often in vibrant hues, which will act as the canvas. Ultimately, this technique invites viewers to experience not just a visual art form but a dynamic interaction between light, colour and emotion, turning ordinary glass into an extraordinary testament to creativity and craftsmanship.” Opening the show, Mountmellick Library manager Amanda Hyland welcomed everyone and said the library is delighted to welcome Roksana back again this year for her second exhibition.
She said: “This is a beautiful exhibition by Roksana featuring wonderful Irish landscapes, beautiful buildings and amazing fauna and flora. The stained-glass pieces are an amazing addition to this year’s show.
“So well done, Roksana, it’s a wonderful exhibition and we are delighted to have you here again this year showcasing your amazing works. We wish you the best of luck with it.” The amazing collection is on display until the end of May and everyone is welcome to pay a visit during library opening hours.
