‘PAINTING THROUGH The Lens’ is the latest exhibition from Kilrush’s Pauline Dunleavy.
Two of West Clare’s most-well known figures are combining for the launch of the exhibition. Pauline has enlisted Mullagh native and multi-award winning photographer John Kelly to carry out the official opening on Friday August 8th at Culturlann Sweeney Library in Kilkee and runs until September 4th.
A prominent artist, art-teacher and community advocate, Pauline’s art is rooted in the dramatic landscapes of West Clare. She is a former lifeboat crew and station manager with Kilrush RNLI for over twenty five years, this connection with the sea is portrayed in almost every canvas.
Born and raised in Kilrush, she draws endless inspiration from the shifting moods of the River Shannon and the Atlantic coast. She primarily works in oils but also uses acrylics, charcoal, and encaustic painting styles.
Painting for over quarter of a century, her style has matured into vibrant pieces rich in texture and transparency, often incorporating abstract elements layered with pastel, harcoal, and acrylic before final oil or wax finishes.
She loves nothing more than getting out into the landscape to sketch. Her creative approach begins with music, layered gesso, and quick studies. She uses photo references and mirrors to evaluate composition, spraying, erasing, and layering until the piece feels complete.
An appreciation of the local scene like boglands, seascapes and coastlines is evident in her work. Pauline often photographs landscapes before painting. Referencing photos during her process helps to capture the authenticity
of light, mood, and composition, she believes. She waits days before signing the work to ensure total satisfaction of the piece.
Her first solo exhibition ‘On Our Doorstep’ was held in Kilkee in 2022 and was officially opened by the artist Ruth Wood. In 2024, her exhibition ‘Inspired Landscapes and Beyond’ was launched by wildlife expert Éanna Ní Lamhna at Clare Museum.
It’s been a busy summer for Pauline with her exhibition ‘Breaking Borders’ opening in Kinvara in June while in July her work was part of the summer exhibition at Kenny Gallery in Galway and she was part of the Kilrush Art Group to run an exhibition at Kilrush Library.
Throughout the year, Pauline’s work can be viewed at The Kilbaha Gallery while she is kept busy running her own gallery and craft shop, Anchor Crafts on Henry St in Kilrush.
