I am a painter. My first solo exhibition in Cork in 2004 was a series of semi abstract watercolours of the landscape and light of West Clare. I have been a regular visitor to this part of the country for over 30 years. As the work developed, the subject matter became more representational, the perspective more contemporary l and I began to work in oil on canvas. In 2021 and 2022 I went on month-long residencies in The Burren College of Art. In 2023 and 2024 I did residencies in The Tyrone Guthrie Centre. These residencies were hugely beneficial to my practice. Having the opportunity to completely immerse myself in the landscape, to explore, investigate and conduct field studies at an intense level but also at my own pace was transformative. An incredible experience, it immediately impacted how I work and is continuing to do so. It was during these residencies that a welcome return to working from my imagination was ignited. While making the paintings for Winterage, my last solo exhibition, as the work developed it became more of an exploration of what was occupying my mind and my imagination at that time. This is darker than my previous work, it is not reality, but my own multiverse which acknowledges eco anxiety and climate change. Throughout that year I explored various techniques, and a new style of painting emerged along with bountiful painting possibilities which I am continuing to explore.
Diane Magee
Diane
Magee
