Laois artist showcases her work for the first time in 18 years

A VIBRANT exhibition depicting a wide variety of styles by artist Pauline O’Connor is currently on display in Mountmellick Library and Art Gallery for the month of December.

The collection, titled ‘Unapologetically me’ is Pauline’s second solo showcase. The first was held 18 years ago in the upstairs art gallery of Jim’s Country Kitchen, Portlaoise.

The talented artist dedicated her exhibition to her late mother Christina O’Connor, who died in January 2023.

Pauline spoke to the Laois Nationalist about her background in painting shortly before the exhibition, which was launched by Imelda McNally, her good friend and colleague at Portlaoise Holistic Centre.

Pauline said: “I’m showing over 30 paintings in this exhibition and I am happy to show every piece. I may not follow the conventions and rules for painting, displaying or exhibiting artwork, and I don’t have one particular style. I am easily bored and distracted so I like to mix things up, including my styles, my media and my subjects.

“Why am I unapologetic? This work reflects who I am. I love learning and diversity. I move on quickly and I look to change and grow. For many years I felt my work was not good enough, not professional and not fine art, so I hid in the shadows, on the edge of some perceived art world. Now I embrace and accept my work. I love to paint whatever I want to paint. My work reflects me and I no longer seek validation. My work is honest and unapologetically me.

“If people have a little browse at this exhibition, my wish is that they get a glimpse of a woman who is happy in her own skin, comfortable in her imperfection and does her best to keep her heart open and to follow it, a woman who loves and is loved and I wish the same for them.

“My mind is creative and I am curious about life. I love to continuously learn and explore. Painting is one of the ways I spend my time on this earth. I cannot remember a time when I didn’t paint. I learned mainly by experimenting and I am also very interested in the therapeutic effects of art and to that end I studied the principles of art therapy and group facilitation using the arts in Crawford College of Art and Design.

“For many years I worked in industry in technical roles, but I walked away from that life in my 40s. For the past 20 years I have founded various businesses and studios, including Heyday Studios in Portlaoise. I have facilitated art classes for children and adults and also worked with groups and in community projects. I am involved and work in the field of wellness and complementary therapies … coaching, meditation, massage and energy healing.

“I have a busy family life with a husband, adult daughters, grandchildren and a 94-year-old dad to take care of. Life continues to be busy and rewarding with the ups and downs and occasionally a sideways blow! What have I learned? To keep breathing!” At the launch, an overwhelmed Pauline thanked everyone for attending, Mountmellick Library staff members, her husband Pat for hanging the paintings and Imelda McNally for launching the exhibition.

During Imelda’s talk, she gave a heartfelt talk about Pauline and the wonderful variety of her work, which she said includes magical words through her poetry pieces, which are framed on a wall dedicated to her late mother.

The amazing exhibition remains on display until the end of December during library opening hours.

More information is available from Mountmellick Library on 057 8689382 and the artist can be found on social media.