‘Home is Where the Heart Is’ is a touring exhibition presenting a series of experimental pop-up illustrated birdhouses. The idea of ‘home’ is universal, but these works are rooted in the personal. With the perspective of being an outsider (an immigrant) the artist has established a home in Ireland, but still empathises with refugees, immigrants and nomads who do not have the comfort of a home. The birdhouses relate to ideas of migration, duality of belonging and the ephemeral nature of home.
Come enjoy this poignant and sensitive exhibition showing the artist Margaret Anne Suggs’ journey from childhood to finding her place in the world.
Local artist and early years arts education specialist, Jane Hayes, has been commissioned to respond to the works in ‘Home is Where the Heart Is’ by creating works for early years audiences, as part of this exhibition.
About the Artists:
Margaret Anne Suggs illustrates with a cheerful colour palette and a distinct femininity. She serves as a Director for both Illustrators Ireland and IBBY Ireland. She also lectures part-time at Ballyfermot CFE, where she founded the illustration course. Mags’ recent awards include an Arts Council Bursary for her picture book work on The Dandelion’s Tale and a residency funded by Children’s Books Ireland at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre. She is the illustrator for the Pigin of Howth series with Kathleen Watkins (Gill Books) and Holy Shocking Saints with Sine Quin (Veritas). An archive of her illustration work has recently been acquired by the National Library of Ireland. Mags can usually be found scribbling in a sketchbook.
Jane Hayes is a socially engaged, visual artist, developing and delivering rich artistic projects for young people for almost 20 years. While working with Baboró International Arts Festival for Children between 2016-2020 her eyes were opened to arts for early years and she has dedicated her practice this audience ever since. Jane has a rich background in developing and delivering work with and for young children and has undertaken numerous commissions and collaborations with arts and cultural organisations of note, including Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, the Hunt Museum Limerick, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and Cork Midsummer Festival. She is also a Creative Associate with the Arts Council’s flagship arts-in-education programme, ‘Creative Schools’