‘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 visual artist and arts for early years 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 visual artist, developing and delivering artistic projects with and 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 to this audience since. Through her socially engaged practice, Jane has partnered with those who share her passion for art for early years and her dedication to the inclusion of the voice of the child in creative decision-making. Commissions and collaborations include Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, the Hunt Museum Limerick, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and Cork Midsummer Festival. While raising her 3 young boys, Jane has recently deepened her engagement with her studio practice, seeking new and exciting ways to bring visual art to 0-to-6-year-olds in the gallery context and testing the possibilities of non-participatory visual art for this audience.
The Lord Mayor’s Pavilion is closed on Wednesday 27th September as a result of Storm Agnes and will reopen as normal on Thursday 28th of September.
Opening: Saturday 9th September at 3pm (Family Friendly)