For Elise
The Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow
August 7 - September 2 2005

This is a joint show with my husband, sculptor James Hayes, exhibiting the work which we have developed over the past few years in response to our parenthood and love of our daughter.

The recent birth of my first child has renewed my belief in the joy that can be found in life itself. As in recent years, my artistic intent is to express this joy in a manner which can be shared by an audience. Thematically this new work evokes and affirms the joyous amazement of creation, new life, the spirit of fertility.

In creating this work, my interest has dwelled on the development of both traditional symbols that represent fecundity (such as fruit) and modern/personal symbols and images which provide a new view on this theme (for instance, the abstract composition of stripes in a positive pregnancy test). In creating the "toy icons" I want to highlight the importance of cherishing childhood.

James' body of work The Paternity Suite began developing in response to the approaching birth of our daughter, to reveal the emotions and changes in our lives from a male point of view. The work continues post-birth in response to fatherhood as a reflection of the classic mother and child and the natural/universal paternal instinct. His work can be viewed HERE

Click on the small images right to view larger images from this body of work.