Press Release August 2000

Comhluader are Blawnin Clancy, Rayleen Clancy, Hugh O'Carroll and Roisin Ní Chionnfhaolaidh all local artists working and living in the Ring Gaeltacht, overlooking Dungarvan Bay in Co Waterford, on the south coast of Ireland.

Blawnin Clancy
The beauty of nature forms the inspiration for much of Blawnin's work, as seen in the intricate detail and sensitivity of her paintings. Boats and reflections in the piers and inlets of the locality are prominent themes in her work. The work posses a quality of stillness imbibed by her subtle use of colour.

Rayleen Clancy
Rayleen's paintings are full of textural references from the local area, images depicting people, past and present, are awash in a sea of light. This series of painting are spurred by her recent return to the Ring Gaeltacht, her memories of spending summers on the beach and roaming the country side. A sense of time and change are echoed in her richly painted canvases.

Roisín Ní Chionnfhaolaidh
Roisín's stained glass work illuminates botanical themes drifting through watery worlds. She is inspired by growth, movement and colours of the environment, her pieces glow with a rich palette of hues that reflect onto the viewer in a phosphorescent dance.

Hugh O'Carroll
Music as space is the theme for this sound installation. This sound track aims to bring the audience into the world of Comhluadhar and experience the exhibition on an aural level. His work is comprised of abstract lyrical rhythms, melodies, and sounds from nature fused in a modern symphony that captivates the listener.

"Comhluader," explains Rayleen, "was formed in early 2000. "The reason we came together as a group was simple, we were four individuals living a working with in close proximity to each other. As artists we felt that in a group we could benefit from each others experience and share creative concepts not only relating to our own work, but work that we can do together for the community, in the community."

"When we began to exchange ideas" continues Blawnin, "we noticed a common thread, we all were referencing the surrounding environment and atmosphere of Ring in our work. It was this obvious synergy that led us to come up with the idea for an exhibition of Lán Mara."

Comhluader are planning to hold an exhibition of current works in Joan Clancy Gallery, Mweelahorna, Ring, in the heart of the County Waterford Gaeltacht.

"Our proposed date is Aug. 3 - 8, 2000. Our aim of the exhibition is to bring our individual work together in a celebration of art that reflects the beauty of the Lán Mara of the Ring Gaeltacht. We feel that it is important as artists, to share our work with the community, and to also invite people from outside the Gaeltacht in order to promote the gaeltacht as a place that fosters and appreciates the living arts and culture."