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PHOTOS: Expression of Experience Art Exhibition for Artists with Cystic Fibrosis

Pictured at the showcase of Ireland’s Second Cystic Fibrosis Art Exhibition in the CB1 Gallery are Lorraine Crowlin, Rachel Clancy, Erin Sugrue, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, Sara Cross, Event Curator, Maria Borck and Paul O’Connor. Picture: Conor Owens/ilovelimerick.

PHOTOS: Expression of Experience Art Exhibition for Artists with Cystic Fibrosis


 

On Wednesday, May 22 Ireland’s Second Cystic Fibrosis Art Exhibition was launched at the CB1 Gallery on O’Connell Street. The exhibition features artworks exclusively by people with Cystic Fibrosis. The theme this year is Expression of Experience which features eight amazing artists showcasing their skills in art and design.

The Exhibition Curator is Sara Cross, a person with CF and living in Limerick City. An American by birth, Sara has made Ireland her home. Sara Cross told ilovelimerick what the theme, Expression of Experience signifies, “This was mainly based on the idea that people could express themselves through their artwork based on their life experiences as somebody who has dealt with a long term illness for their entire life. The artwork that we got in this year, based on this theme, was just phenomenal and you can see where they are coming from in all of the pieces.”

Sara is a talented knitter, costume designer and craftivist – a person who is passionate about supporting people to see their own potential through creative means. As a self-taught artist, she makes her living by taking on commissions for hand-crafted pieces. Sara also teaches crafting and has founded ‘Knitters 4 life’ as a voluntary knitters circle in Limerick aimed at developing skills, confidence and friendship.

The annual exhibition features artists from all over Ireland, all who have Cystic Fibrosis. Sara spoke about what the event is about, “The event is in support of the idea of independent living on their own as people who have careers and interests and community workers.” Some of the pieces are also up for sale.

The artists participating in the Expression of Experience Exhibition showed their own unique style. Grace Shesgreen created a painting called ‘If I Could Breathe Like a Rose Garden Blooms’ which is €150. Grace also created the 65 Roses for Cystic Fibrosis tree Jade Needham. Sara Cross created two of her own pieces called ‘Oscar the Cat’ and ‘Meribelle the Mermaid’. Maireádh Kiely is exhibiting her work called ‘Chrysalis, which is €100. Maria Delaney is selling her piece ‘Concentrator’ for €150. Nicola Richardson painted a piece called ‘I’m Really Dancing’ which is €25. Dominic Murphy is exhibiting two pieces called ‘Self Lost’ being sold for €100 and ‘Simple’ which is also €100. Last but not least, Louise O’ Kennedy created an amazing costume called ‘White Contemporary Skirt’.

The exhibition will continue to run at the CB1 Gallery until Sunday, June 2. Sara hopes to continue to hold this meaningful event. Take a visit to the gallery to see the amazing work for yourself and to support the artists. For more information contact Sara Cross on 085 1533968 or email [email protected] 

For more information about Cystic Fibrosis visit

For more art exhibition stories go here

Photos: Conor Owens/ilovelimerick 

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.