10 Questions with artist Gillian Kenny Shinnors

Limerick’s Gillian Kenny Shinnors answers 10 questions about her art career and life in Limerick

Limerick’s Gillian Kenny Shinnors answers 10 questions about her art career and life in Limerick

Gillian Kenny Shinnors was born in Limerick and studied painting at the Limerick School of Art and Design. The artist then completed her MFA at the University of Ulster, Belfast. She was awarded the Countess Markievich medal for painting by the United Arts Club Dublin during her student days.

Gillian has as exhibited her work regularly at venues such as EVA, the Hunt Limerick,  Ormston House, and the Lab Foley Street, Dublin. Gillian completed a large-scale solo exhibition curated by Mike Fitzpatrick at Limerick City Gallery entitled “A Place to Stay” in 2008.

She has also exhibited her paintings at the Spectrum Gallery in London, The Phatory New York.  She is participating in this year’s 195th Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition.  She now lives in her native city and works from her Studio in Wickham Street Studios.  Irish Times Critic Aidan Dunne has described her work as ‘crisply and expertly painted.’

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Gillian Kenny Shinnors’ new series of paintings vividly portrays a vibrant world, where she revels in highly saturated colour, reminiscent of old Kodachrome film photography or Technicolour movies. Her art is deeply informed by vivid autobiographical memories, particularly those of her childhood summers spent in Kilkee, Co Clare, and later her travels through North America. Which resulted in her exposure to the work of the Ashcan School and Edward Hopper en masse at the Whitney Museum, New York.

1. Tell us about your childhood growing up in Limerick.

I grew up in Thomondgate and attended Salesians Fernbank from junior infants to 6th year. Great childhood as so many families in the area had kids the same age. BMX and skateboards out and about, it was great fun, and I have treasured memories. Every summer in Kilkee, a very traditional Limerick childhood.

2. What inspired you to become an artist, and how has the inspiration evolved over the years?

I was always drawing as a child; the Salesian sisters really did encourage me and entered me in lots of competitions. I was fortunate in secondary to have some excellent teachers including Phil Enright and Pauline Goggin. I participated in Young Eva at LCGA,  in the beautiful Carnegie Building, when I was 14, which really cemented my intention to study art. I went to Limerick School of Art and Design at 17, and never looked back. Great memories.

3. Can you tell us about your creative process?

My work is very nostalgic, and a lot of it is based on memories, I love old family photos particularly Kodachrome prints and slides as they have a very particular colour. I also dabble with photography,  as research and appropriate a lot of imagery from old films and the internet.

My palette is very bright, almost technicolour. I’m no longer interested in photorealism, the paintings have become much more broken down, with happy accidents throughout, you see the brushstrokes and the bones of the painting underneath in my work now.

4. What challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them?

The creative industries are tough; painting is no different you have to be very dedicated and self-motivated. I have always had other sources of income such as teaching. I’m now on a career break so I can focus more on my studio work.

5. How would you define success as an artist?

Personally, it’s being involved in exhibitions in good spaces,  which are well curated and supported. Sales are great also of course, and vital; however, I wouldn’t define myself as a commercial artist. I don’t worry about what I will sell, I make the work I want and am delighted when it appeals to others.  I do very few commissions also.

6. What experiences and feelings do you hope people get when they see your art?

 I hope people have a memory sparked of someone they loved, the faces are usually not very well defined on purpose,  so the viewer can project their own interpretation. The work is about fleeting moments of joy in otherwise busy lives. I have a huge interest in architecture, but my recent work is more figurative. I become obsessed with certain images sometimes for years, that’s where the motivation comes from, essentially what Patrick Kavanagh describes so beautifully in ‘Advent’:

“And the newness that was in every stale thing
When we looked at it as children: the spirit-shocking
Wonder in a black slanting Ulster hill.”

7. Are there any upcoming projects you are excited about?

Yes, my solo exhibition is opening this Friday, 11th of July, in the Signal Arts Centre in Bray, such a great location given the subject matter of my work.

8. What is a typical day in the studio like for you?

Up early on time after the school run, coffee in Klaud 9 at some stage, perhaps a small walk around the Peoples’ Park to get a break from the oils. My space overlooks Wickham Street I love listening to the hustle and bustle of the street; it’s a nice part of town to be in.

 9. What advice would you give people beginning their artistic journey now?

I guess it’s a long game, thankfully we’re not soccer players or ballerinas. I think you’re taken more seriously the longer you’re at it, at times. Keep applying for exhibitions and try to find a community, such as a group studio it can be isolating working at home. Essentially, don’t make work if you’re in the fine art area with anyone else in mind; make the work you want to, find your own voice post-college, if you’re self-taught, great, then go find your audience.

10. What is your favourite thing about Limerick?

I’m a very proud Limerick lady, first and foremost, my favourite thing is the people, the wit and sarcasm, I just love it!  

We are knocking it out of the park in terms of creativity; there is so much to celebrate. Music, theatre—I try to support it all as much as possible, there are so many talented people living here. Love the fact trad is taking off so much again, loads happening. You’ll just as easily find me at a hip hop gig, a metal or punk gig, a classical concert in St Mary’s Cathedral, seeing a DJ another night,  I have very eclectic tastes. The market on a Saturday of course, the food scene is enriched by the diversity in our community now. The pubs, we have really great bars, too many to mention. I could go on and on!