Latest news with #LimerickSchoolofArtandDesign
Qatar Tribune
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Charlotte Lavelle: A life in art, from Atlantic shores to gobal stage
Ashraf Siddiqui Doha From an early age, Charlotte Lavelle's artistic path was clear. Born in Chester and raised near the Atlantic coast of Ireland, her creative talent was first noticed by her mother when Charlotte was just three. By age five, she was studying with a prominent local artist, a mentorship that helped spark a lifelong love of art. Aged six, Lavelle won her first art award in the Texaco Children's Art Competition, and her photo appeared in the Western People alongside her art teacher—a moment that cemented her connection to creativity and community. Talking to Qatar Tribune, Charlotte said that she was raised in a home rich with music and artistic encouragement, she and her siblings all learned instruments, influenced by their musically gifted mother and grandmother. Her deep engagement with the arts extended to theatre and sculpture, winning recognition at the Ballina Salmon Festival before pursuing a degree at Limerick School of Art and Design. Initially drawn to sculpture, she eventually majored in fashion design, a decision that led her to New York City and an internship with fashion icon Anna Sui. In New York, Lavelle contributed to high-profile design projects, including work for Naomi Campbell and development of Sui's first perfume. Her talent and diligence earned her increasing responsibilities, culminating in close involvement with the designer's personal archives. After returning to Europe, Lavelle worked with British fashion legend Vivienne Westwood, contributing to major exhibitions and collections inspired by classical art. Eventually, her focus returned fully to fine art. Lavelle's paintings—deeply influenced by the landscape and the emotional resonance of color—have been exhibited in Ireland, Malta, and Sicily. She completed a postgraduate degree at Burren College of Art, developing a practice rooted in nature, serenity, and sensory experience. Now based in Qatar, Lavelle continues to inspire through teaching and exhibitions. She curated the 'Art Matters' exhibition featuring over 300 student works and remains active in cultural life, also singing with the Qatar Concert Choir. Her work advocates for art as a tool for joy, unity, and even diplomacy — most recently contributing to the 'Greener Together' initiative, merging creativity with global sustainability efforts.
Irish Independent
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Limerick artist brings summer-themed work to Wicklow arts venue
Gillian was born in Limerick and studied painting at the Limerick School of Art and Design and then completed her MFA at the University of Ulster, Belfast. She was awarded the Countess Markievicz medal for painting by the United Arts Club Dublin during her student days. She is participating in this year 195th RHA annual. and has exhibited her work regularly at venues such as EVA, the Hunt Limerick, and Limerick Printmakers, and the Lab Foley Street Dublin. Gillian completed a large-scale solo exhibition at Limerick City Gallery and has also exhibited her paintings at the Spectrum Gallery London, The Phatory New York, and the Engine Gallery Toronto. She has been involved in many social practice and community projects over the years, including the Artist in Prison Scheme and Ballymun Regeneration. Vivid autobiographical memories and influences from film and early Kodachrome photography strongly inform the artist's work, which excavates strong photographic references through the use of painterly language. Her recent body of paintings explores nostalgic memories which are bittersweet and stem from the era of the pandemic, where 'the notion of leisure time and of being on holidays is elevated into a cloud of affectionate nostalgia through which the idealised memories of the past are viewed'. Kenny Shinnors generates her work through appropriating imagery from old photographs, and self- generated imagery which includes familiar scenes and landmarks. Her unique perspective includes strong pictorial compositions, juxtapositions of people and architecture and her distinctive strongly saturated palette, capturing light and shade. Like many Limerick people, Gillian was fortunate to spend every summer of her childhood in Kilkee, County Clare and she told 'Limerick Live' about her inspiration. 'These vivid autobiographical memories strongly inform my work,' she said, on the memories behind them. 'The notion of being on holidays is now elevated into a cloud of affectionate nostalgia through which the idealised environment of the seaside of the past is viewed. This is the sentiment I aim to explore in these paintings, by appropriating imagery from old photographs, and creating landscapes which include familiar scenes and landmarks.' The opening reception for Reminiscence takes place on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 7pm to 9pm. The exhibition closes on Sunday, July 20.
