Newport artist holding first solo show

EVENING SCENE Detail from one of Deena Kilroy’s paintings, showing the Mall in Westport at night time, bathed in glowing street light.

Ciara Moynihan

Artist Deena Kilroy’s first solo exhibition, ‘Nearly There’, will be officially opened by Liam Friel this Thursday evening (March 2) in Westport Town Hall Theatre. The show, which contains 25 artworks, will continue to run until the end of the month.
Deena Kilroy grew up overlooking Lough Furnace in Newport. This stunning, raw landscape  led to a fascination with light and landscape, which her artworks aim to capture. After living for 15 years in New York – where she developed a particular interest in streetscapes, especially at dusk – she returned to Mayo and studied fine arts at the Westport College of Further Education, honing her skills. Her preferred medium is currently a combination of acrylic and oil paints on wood.
Deena has participated in two joint exhibitions at the Clew Bay Hotel with artist and friend Bernie Harness, and her work has been exhibited in several group shows at the Customs House Gallery, Westport.
The artist explains that ‘Nearly There’ is ‘inspired by light and the transient qualities of the evening glow’, drawing ‘creative nourishment from the stunning landscapes’ of the west. She is also keen to convey ‘the joy and beauty in every moment’, while expressing ‘gratitude for the natural canvas that surrounds us’.
Now that the world has reopened after the pandemic, Deena is finally getting to launch her first solo show, which was originally planned for May 2020.
The artist’s new website, www.deenakilroy.com, will be also be launched on the day of the opening.