Bernadette Doolan’s work explores the fragility of the human condition primarily through depicting
aspects of childhood. This interest relates to the resilience and strength children demonstrate even
through their vulnerabilities. It is perspective explored through reflection of her own childhood and
an awareness of how socialization modifies our behaviours. Her work has been described as having
an ‘emotional weight with psychological intensity that is not necessarily representing the physical,
but one’s internal voice’.
As a self-taught artist, Bernadette began her career making ceramic sculpture and her practice has
since developed into painting. She doesn’t constrain herself to one medium but instead allows both
to feed and stimulate her creative expression.
Bernadette has exhibited nationally and internationally. She was an invited artist to Youyi, Art
Beijing, China (2021), Youyi, Hangzhou, China (2019), Irish artists in Nepal, Katmandu, India (2018),
Seen and not heard, Crawford Gallery, Cork (2019), Cairde Visual, Model Arts Centre, Sligo (2019)
and Watts Up, Bernardaud Foundation, Limoges, France 2014. She also exhibits regularly in the
annual group shows at the Royal Hibernian Academy, Royal Ulster Academy, Society Women Artists
London, Bath Society Artists, South West Academy U.K., and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters.
Awarded the Perpetual Silver Prize by the Royal Ulster Academy (2015), Irish News Award by the
Royal Ulster Academy (2018), and the Rosemary & Co. Award by the Society Women Artists London
(2019), Bernadette was also shortlisted for the Ruth Borchard Self-Portrait Exhibition (2019), and the
John Richardson Residency, France (2021).
Her work is held in the Wexford County Collection and in private collections nationally and
internationally.
