'From the Midlands to Mayo' exhibition opens in Offaly gallery

A HOST of guests attended the opening of 'From the Midlands to Mayo' on a stunning sunny Sunday evening at the Copper Tree Gallery, Birr Castle Demesne, where they were seriously impressed by the awe-inspiring beauty of nature as depicted through the captivating artwork of wonderful artists Alison Rosse, Jacinta Guinan, and Mark Rode.

This exhibition takes place for the next eight weeks. Admission is free into this art exhibition from 9am each day.

Event details can be found on www.birrcastle.com . A visit to the gardens is a must when you are nearby, entry tickets will be required.

The artists include Alison Rosse whose work transports viewers to serene, untouched landscapes with beauty all around inspired by the Slieve Blooms and other landscapes with Jacinta Guinan whose interpretations of the West of Ireland lands show a freshness and sensitivity to the subject, which reveals the mystery and energy behind these ancient hills and lakes and Mark Rodes, a master sculptor renowned for his expertise in crafting exquisite bronze sculptures that capture the essence of emotion and movement in his artistry.

Alison, Countess of Rosse is an accomplished self-taught artist who though extensively travelled, is very inspired by the landscape of the Irish Midlands around her home in Birr, the Slieve Bloom mountains as well as the West of Ireland. She also paints interiors, including a series of Irish libraries and has painted in many of Ireland’s Georgian houses, including of course her own home, Birr Castle.

Jacinta Guinan’s work can be described as Modern Irish Landscape. Her painterly skies, textured fields, rugged trees and honest palette bring the viewer into a landscape they can virtually feel, hear and explore.

Her most recent work has pivoted on the natural world in County Mayo, where she resides and has embraced her vision of selected landscapes she feels a particular connection with.

Mark Rode is a sculptor based in Ireland specialising in bronze figurative sculpture. Mark has major public sculptures in counties Kerry, Offaly, Wexford, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath in Ireland as well as the USA, including his famous bust of Barack Obama. His bronze sculpture is held in many public and private collection throughout Ireland, Australia and the UK. He is represented by Gormleys Fine Art.