The Artist
©
Deirdre O'Reilly was born in Belfast, Ireland of a culture where the celebration of poetry & art emancipated the spirit. At 15 she migrated with family to the beauty of a vast and free Australia. Her cultural transition, and that from child to adult has seen a dominant consistency - pursuit of self-expression. Deirdre currently lives in a leafy suburb of Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, Australia's southern most mainland state.
As a graduate of Fine arts Deirdre was to teach students with disabilities the beauty of art, spirit and dignity for over six years. During this time she also pursued her painting, but primarily for self, with her collection reamaining the domain of family and friends. At age 27 she resolved to cease teaching and paint full time with the hope of exhibiting and sharing her expression with others.
Since then she has developed works for several succesful exhibitions in her hometown Melbourne as well as regional centres in Victoria and other states of Australia, as well as producing several private works on commission.
Deirdre's work is expressionist and evokes the beauty, colour and transition of spirit caught in the eternal struggle of darkness and light. Her art deals with the pursuit of spirituality, understanding of emotion, and the need for solace. From intricate personal sketches, to bold, but sensitive oils, she has produced works which give an insight into an artist's self.
Magnificent works from a recent commission which provide a journey into the netherworld of Irish mythology are permanently displayed in the Emerald Lounge of the Clifton Hill Hotel, 89 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill, Melbourne.
The Clifton Hill has for many a year been a magnet for the multitude of young Irish who have ventured "down under", a fitting home for the display of nine awe inspiring works. Should you decide to visit and view these works, do not plan on a fleeting moment. For like many of us you will be drawn into these paintings and the dark mystery behind the legends of ancient Ireland. As you spend time contemplating each peice you will find that within, there are scenes which in themselves form complete works. Each visit will find you discovering a new understanding of these awe inspiring works.
Whilst this talented artist may describe herself as retiring, this is far from the case when you engage her in conversation on her great love of art and the dreams she has. There is a fierce passion that soon shines through and will always be reflected in whatever style she chooses to portray that passion on canvas or any other medium. Like many a great artist their "light is often hidden under a bushel" . We trust in some small way these few pages will help let some of that light brighten our day.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Artist Works
Contemporary Works
From time to time we will show various ccontemporary peices from Deirdre
The triptych below is of the artist's three sisters and is proudly displayed on the wall at her sister Bernadette's business
IRISH MYTHS AND LEGENDS
The below pieces of Art Work are displayed at the Emerald Lounge at the Clifton Hill Hotel, Melbourne.
1. Voyage of Bran
Bran decided to set sail with his crew in search of the Otherworld after a maiden appears to him in a vision singing of its' delights.
After two days and nights Bran sees a man driving over the sea in a chariot towards him.
The man is Manannan mac Lir - god of the ocean. He also sings to Bran about the Otherworld and transforms the ocean into a flowery plain, with the boat floating over an orchard of fruit trees. Manannan then dispatches Bran and his crew to the island of women where they are sumptuously entertained.
Believing they had only been gone for a year, they decide to return home. On reaching the shore they meet some villagers and explained who they were, but the people said that the man named Bran was known only as a legendary figure in folklore.
One of the crewmen jumped from the boat and on touching the land, instantly turned to ashes.
On seeing this the men realized they had been gone for hundreds of years and regretfully set sail once more and are said to be still sailing the open sea.
2. King Conchobar's Treachery - Story of Deirdre &Naoise
3. Queen Maeve takes her revenge on Cu Chulainn
Queen Maeve of Connacht (known as she who intoxicates) jealous of her own husband's great white bull, decided to invade Ulster and steal the brown bull of Cooley, so began the 'Cattle Raid of Cooley', a battle between Ulster and Connacht.
However, Maeve did not expect to her armies to be defeated by a single warrior. His name was Cu Chulainn - Chief of King Conchobar's Red Branch Knights.
He was a brave and beautiful hero, an invicible warrior with supernatural strength, also know as the 'Hound of Ulster'
He had a taboo placed on him, never to refuse a meal and never to eat dog meat. If he did either it would mean his death.
With Maeve's armies defeated, she patiently plotted her revenge.
She sent three hags trained in sorcery and illusion to torment Cu Chulainn. They taunt him with war cries and appear to him offering a meal they knew he could not refuse, the meal is cooked dog meat. The scene is then set for inevitable destruction of Cu Chulainn.
Cu Chulainn is called to battle Maeve's armies once more. Knowing that he had been weakened, he strapped himself to a tree determined to die on his feet. His faithful dogs were at his side. When the hero light began to fade from him, Morrigan, the goddess of doom in the form of a raven, dared not alight on his shoulder until he had taken his last breath.
4. Cernunnos - Lord of the Animals
Cernunnos was the wild horned god of nature, guardian of the animals and the wild wood.
He sits cross legged with a snake in one hand and the torc/janus in the other, a cauldron at his feet. The two-headed janus portrays the warrior human side and divine side.
Crowned by a stag's antlers, Cernunnos is considered symbolic of re-generation and the seasons of Autumn and Spring, because stags shed their antlers and grow new ones seasonally.
Cernunnos is a threshold guardian of great power, the gatekeeper to the Otherworld. He often encounters seekers of the Otherworld whom he will initiate if they show themselves to be worthy
5. The Goddesses
Eriu was the sun goddess who banished darkness and restored energy. A golden cup borne by Eriu represented the sun, fruitfulness and the land. It was filled with red wine and given to the mortal kings of Ireland to legitimise thier election and at the same time, promote the prosperity of the land.
Macha (or goddess of Epona) had the ability to morph from human to animal form. She could foresee destruction. Her horse like qualities of speed and majesty represented her stateliness and sovereign power. As the divine bride of the mortal Crunnchu, she boasted that she could out run the King's horses and thus was forced to run a race whilst pregnant with twins
She won the race but died during childbirth. She cursed the men of Ulster to suffer the pain of childbirth during times of crisis for nine generations. The Christian prayer the 'novena' is derivied from 'The curse of Macha'
Boann the goddess of the River Boyne, was turned into the river by her husband Nechtan, himself a water spirit, for daring to visit his forbidden well.
Water, wells, springs, and rivers were all regarded as the spirit life force reflecting images and capturing light.
Boan represents the healing and clelansing properties of pure water, symbolising abundance, inspiration and prophecy.
Morrigan, the prophetess of doom (like Macha) had the ability to morph from human to animal spirit form. She often assumed the form of a crow or raven. With their black plummage, these flesh eaters usually foretold of evil. Representing death or disaster, the Morrigan was often seen on the battle field.
The goddess Danu, was considered the 'Mother' of Irish gods. She stood at the head of the tribe. The union with the goddess of earth and king of the tribe realised the marriage of the human group to the fertile soil. Danu was associated with trees - representing longevity, wisdom and the sanctity of life, death and re-birth.
6. Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the Enchanted Sava
The story of Fionn and Sava begins after a long day hunting in the woods.
Fion sees a afawn and chases it, his two dogs instead of attacking the fawn, run and play with her. Fionn decides not to pursue the animal and turns back towards the castle. To his surprise the fawn follows with his dogs and enters the castle also.
When night falls, the fawn is transformed into a beautiful maiden, Sava. She goes to Fionn and thanks him for his kindness, whihc has broken a spell placed on her by a dark druid for spurning his advances.
Time passes and they are married. Soon after Fionn is called to battle.
In his youth, Fionn had eaten a small amount of the 'Salmon of Knowledge', which had passed on to him, super human battle powers and the gift of prophecy. Fionn sensing danger for Sava and fearing for his beloved, he warns her not to dare leave the castle until his return.
Sava, heeded his warning until weeks later, she saw someone she believed to be Fionn. She ran out to greet him only to see the face of the dark druid who had tricked her and recaptured her.
Returning home to find Sava gone, Fionn vowed to find her. He searched for seven years. Finally he finds, hidden in the woods, a young boy as fair and beautiful as Sava. When Fionn takes the boy into his arms, Sava's spirit which has been guarding he son, is released.
Fionn names the boy Oisin lmeaning 'little deer'. Oisin later married the daughter of the King of Tir na nOg'
7. The Children of Lir - Oengus and Caer
The Children of Lir
Aobh was Lir's second wife and the daughter of the King of Ireland (Bodb). She gave birth to two sets of twins, the older set, a daughter named Fionnuala and son Aedh, the younger set, two sons named Conn and Fiachra.
When Aobh died, determined to keep the two families strong,King Bodb offered Lir, his second daughter, Aoife.
It was not long after their mariage that Aoife began to resent the attention her husband and father lavished on her sister's children. Consumed with jealousy, she planned to get rid of them.
Aoife took the children to a lake and instructed them to bathe in the water. to the children's horror, she transformed them into snow white swans, the spell unbreakable for nine hundred years. The only mercy shown was that they kept their human voices.
On his way Bodb's palace, Lir passed the lake and saw the four beautiful swans. He was shocked to hear them call out to him. When they told him of the spell, he fell to his knees and wept. Only their sweet singing voices could ease his sorrow.
Oengus & Caer
Oengus, son of Dagdha and goddess Boann, sees the beautiful maiden and fairy pricess Caer when she appears to him in a dream. Enchanted by her, he asks her father if they can marry and is refused.
As months go by Oengus dreams only of Caer. He becomes lovesick and unable to eat.
Seeing their son weaken by the hour, Dagdha and Boann find out that Caer is a shape shifter and that the first day of November every year, she and her maidens change into swans and are found at a scared lake They send Oengus to find her.
When Caer sees Oengus, she transforms him into a swan also. The two fly around the lake three times sending the village people to sleep for three days and nights. Meanwhile they escape to Caer's fairy sidhe in the Otherworld, where thye remain lforever young.
8. Cormac and the Faery Branch
Cormac was tricked by a youth into exchanging his son, daughter and wife for an enchanted silver faery branch adorned with nine blood red apples. When shaken the apples produced a melody that would soothe the cares of all within earshot.
With his family gone, Cormac shook the branch to soothe the laments of his people.
Filled with regret, he went in search of his loved ones. A mist descended upon him. When it lifted he saw some men thatching a palace roof with feathers that kept blowing away.
Next he saw a boy labouring to kindle a fire that refused to stay ablaze.
Then Cormac came across a a fountain with five streams, filled with salmon, flowingfrom from it.
Finally he met a striking man and woman who invited him to dine with them. Portions of meat were placed in a magical cauldron with no fire under it. Every time a truth was told a portion of meat would be lifted out perfectly cooked.
Cormac told the couple his truth about about how he had lost his family, but he could not eat.
The couple sang him to sleep and when he awoke he was re-united with is wife and daughter and son.
Then the man identified himself as Manannan mac Lir, he had disguised himself as the youth that had sold Cormac the Faery Branch. He had also summoned the mist to bring Cormac into his domain.
Manannan then explained the secens that Cormac saw. The men that thatched the roof were foolish fortune hunters seeking wealth while their goods perished. The boy laboured in vain for others, never stopping to warm himself by his own fire. The fountain was the source of all human knowledge , the five streams represented the five senses. No one could be truly wise unless they drank deeply from each stream.
When Cormac and his family returned to his palace, he knew that by far, they were his greatest treasure.
9. The Dagda - The Red One of Perfect Knowledge
The dagdha was the good god - meaning good at everything, the many gifted one. He is seen as the tribal father of all , responsible for the weather and the harvest. He is described sometimes as a comical figure, a giant with a huge appetite and jovial manner.
The provider of plenty, he was also the keeper of four powerful talismans, given to him by the mythical inhabitants of Ireland the 'Tuatha De Dannan' who reside in the hills. The first is the 'Spear of Lugh' also known as the Gae Bulga - a barbed spear that guaranteed victory.
Secondly, the 'Stone of Fal', which cried out at the touch of the rightful King of Ireland.
Third, the 'Sword of Nuadu' from which no one escaped.
Fourth, a huge inexhaustible cauldron from which no one departed unsatisfied.
From time to time we will show various ccontemporary peices from Deirdre
The triptych below is of the artist's three sisters and is proudly displayed on the wall at her sister Bernadette's business
IRISH MYTHS AND LEGENDS
The below pieces of Art Work are displayed at the Emerald Lounge at the Clifton Hill Hotel, Melbourne.
1. Voyage of Bran
Bran decided to set sail with his crew in search of the Otherworld after a maiden appears to him in a vision singing of its' delights.
After two days and nights Bran sees a man driving over the sea in a chariot towards him.
The man is Manannan mac Lir - god of the ocean. He also sings to Bran about the Otherworld and transforms the ocean into a flowery plain, with the boat floating over an orchard of fruit trees. Manannan then dispatches Bran and his crew to the island of women where they are sumptuously entertained.
Believing they had only been gone for a year, they decide to return home. On reaching the shore they meet some villagers and explained who they were, but the people said that the man named Bran was known only as a legendary figure in folklore.
One of the crewmen jumped from the boat and on touching the land, instantly turned to ashes.
On seeing this the men realized they had been gone for hundreds of years and regretfully set sail once more and are said to be still sailing the open sea.
2. King Conchobar's Treachery - Story of Deirdre &Naoise
3. Queen Maeve takes her revenge on Cu Chulainn
Queen Maeve of Connacht (known as she who intoxicates) jealous of her own husband's great white bull, decided to invade Ulster and steal the brown bull of Cooley, so began the 'Cattle Raid of Cooley', a battle between Ulster and Connacht.
However, Maeve did not expect to her armies to be defeated by a single warrior. His name was Cu Chulainn - Chief of King Conchobar's Red Branch Knights.
He was a brave and beautiful hero, an invicible warrior with supernatural strength, also know as the 'Hound of Ulster'
He had a taboo placed on him, never to refuse a meal and never to eat dog meat. If he did either it would mean his death.
With Maeve's armies defeated, she patiently plotted her revenge.
She sent three hags trained in sorcery and illusion to torment Cu Chulainn. They taunt him with war cries and appear to him offering a meal they knew he could not refuse, the meal is cooked dog meat. The scene is then set for inevitable destruction of Cu Chulainn.
Cu Chulainn is called to battle Maeve's armies once more. Knowing that he had been weakened, he strapped himself to a tree determined to die on his feet. His faithful dogs were at his side. When the hero light began to fade from him, Morrigan, the goddess of doom in the form of a raven, dared not alight on his shoulder until he had taken his last breath.
4. Cernunnos - Lord of the Animals
Cernunnos was the wild horned god of nature, guardian of the animals and the wild wood.
He sits cross legged with a snake in one hand and the torc/janus in the other, a cauldron at his feet. The two-headed janus portrays the warrior human side and divine side.
Crowned by a stag's antlers, Cernunnos is considered symbolic of re-generation and the seasons of Autumn and Spring, because stags shed their antlers and grow new ones seasonally.
Cernunnos is a threshold guardian of great power, the gatekeeper to the Otherworld. He often encounters seekers of the Otherworld whom he will initiate if they show themselves to be worthy
5. The Goddesses
Eriu was the sun goddess who banished darkness and restored energy. A golden cup borne by Eriu represented the sun, fruitfulness and the land. It was filled with red wine and given to the mortal kings of Ireland to legitimise thier election and at the same time, promote the prosperity of the land.
Macha (or goddess of Epona) had the ability to morph from human to animal form. She could foresee destruction. Her horse like qualities of speed and majesty represented her stateliness and sovereign power. As the divine bride of the mortal Crunnchu, she boasted that she could out run the King's horses and thus was forced to run a race whilst pregnant with twins
She won the race but died during childbirth. She cursed the men of Ulster to suffer the pain of childbirth during times of crisis for nine generations. The Christian prayer the 'novena' is derivied from 'The curse of Macha'
Boann the goddess of the River Boyne, was turned into the river by her husband Nechtan, himself a water spirit, for daring to visit his forbidden well.
Water, wells, springs, and rivers were all regarded as the spirit life force reflecting images and capturing light.
Boan represents the healing and clelansing properties of pure water, symbolising abundance, inspiration and prophecy.
Morrigan, the prophetess of doom (like Macha) had the ability to morph from human to animal spirit form. She often assumed the form of a crow or raven. With their black plummage, these flesh eaters usually foretold of evil. Representing death or disaster, the Morrigan was often seen on the battle field.
The goddess Danu, was considered the 'Mother' of Irish gods. She stood at the head of the tribe. The union with the goddess of earth and king of the tribe realised the marriage of the human group to the fertile soil. Danu was associated with trees - representing longevity, wisdom and the sanctity of life, death and re-birth.
6. Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the Enchanted Sava
The story of Fionn and Sava begins after a long day hunting in the woods.
Fion sees a afawn and chases it, his two dogs instead of attacking the fawn, run and play with her. Fionn decides not to pursue the animal and turns back towards the castle. To his surprise the fawn follows with his dogs and enters the castle also.
When night falls, the fawn is transformed into a beautiful maiden, Sava. She goes to Fionn and thanks him for his kindness, whihc has broken a spell placed on her by a dark druid for spurning his advances.
Time passes and they are married. Soon after Fionn is called to battle.
In his youth, Fionn had eaten a small amount of the 'Salmon of Knowledge', which had passed on to him, super human battle powers and the gift of prophecy. Fionn sensing danger for Sava and fearing for his beloved, he warns her not to dare leave the castle until his return.
Sava, heeded his warning until weeks later, she saw someone she believed to be Fionn. She ran out to greet him only to see the face of the dark druid who had tricked her and recaptured her.
Returning home to find Sava gone, Fionn vowed to find her. He searched for seven years. Finally he finds, hidden in the woods, a young boy as fair and beautiful as Sava. When Fionn takes the boy into his arms, Sava's spirit which has been guarding he son, is released.
Fionn names the boy Oisin lmeaning 'little deer'. Oisin later married the daughter of the King of Tir na nOg'
7. The Children of Lir - Oengus and Caer
The Children of Lir
Aobh was Lir's second wife and the daughter of the King of Ireland (Bodb). She gave birth to two sets of twins, the older set, a daughter named Fionnuala and son Aedh, the younger set, two sons named Conn and Fiachra.
When Aobh died, determined to keep the two families strong,King Bodb offered Lir, his second daughter, Aoife.
It was not long after their mariage that Aoife began to resent the attention her husband and father lavished on her sister's children. Consumed with jealousy, she planned to get rid of them.
Aoife took the children to a lake and instructed them to bathe in the water. to the children's horror, she transformed them into snow white swans, the spell unbreakable for nine hundred years. The only mercy shown was that they kept their human voices.
On his way Bodb's palace, Lir passed the lake and saw the four beautiful swans. He was shocked to hear them call out to him. When they told him of the spell, he fell to his knees and wept. Only their sweet singing voices could ease his sorrow.
Oengus & Caer
Oengus, son of Dagdha and goddess Boann, sees the beautiful maiden and fairy pricess Caer when she appears to him in a dream. Enchanted by her, he asks her father if they can marry and is refused.
As months go by Oengus dreams only of Caer. He becomes lovesick and unable to eat.
Seeing their son weaken by the hour, Dagdha and Boann find out that Caer is a shape shifter and that the first day of November every year, she and her maidens change into swans and are found at a scared lake They send Oengus to find her.
When Caer sees Oengus, she transforms him into a swan also. The two fly around the lake three times sending the village people to sleep for three days and nights. Meanwhile they escape to Caer's fairy sidhe in the Otherworld, where thye remain lforever young.
8. Cormac and the Faery Branch
Cormac was tricked by a youth into exchanging his son, daughter and wife for an enchanted silver faery branch adorned with nine blood red apples. When shaken the apples produced a melody that would soothe the cares of all within earshot.
With his family gone, Cormac shook the branch to soothe the laments of his people.
Filled with regret, he went in search of his loved ones. A mist descended upon him. When it lifted he saw some men thatching a palace roof with feathers that kept blowing away.
Next he saw a boy labouring to kindle a fire that refused to stay ablaze.
Then Cormac came across a a fountain with five streams, filled with salmon, flowingfrom from it.
Finally he met a striking man and woman who invited him to dine with them. Portions of meat were placed in a magical cauldron with no fire under it. Every time a truth was told a portion of meat would be lifted out perfectly cooked.
Cormac told the couple his truth about about how he had lost his family, but he could not eat.
The couple sang him to sleep and when he awoke he was re-united with is wife and daughter and son.
Then the man identified himself as Manannan mac Lir, he had disguised himself as the youth that had sold Cormac the Faery Branch. He had also summoned the mist to bring Cormac into his domain.
Manannan then explained the secens that Cormac saw. The men that thatched the roof were foolish fortune hunters seeking wealth while their goods perished. The boy laboured in vain for others, never stopping to warm himself by his own fire. The fountain was the source of all human knowledge , the five streams represented the five senses. No one could be truly wise unless they drank deeply from each stream.
When Cormac and his family returned to his palace, he knew that by far, they were his greatest treasure.
9. The Dagda - The Red One of Perfect Knowledge
The dagdha was the good god - meaning good at everything, the many gifted one. He is seen as the tribal father of all , responsible for the weather and the harvest. He is described sometimes as a comical figure, a giant with a huge appetite and jovial manner.
The provider of plenty, he was also the keeper of four powerful talismans, given to him by the mythical inhabitants of Ireland the 'Tuatha De Dannan' who reside in the hills. The first is the 'Spear of Lugh' also known as the Gae Bulga - a barbed spear that guaranteed victory.
Secondly, the 'Stone of Fal', which cried out at the touch of the rightful King of Ireland.
Third, the 'Sword of Nuadu' from which no one escaped.
Fourth, a huge inexhaustible cauldron from which no one departed unsatisfied.
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