Nestled in a historic 250-year-old grain store, Bridge Street Studios has been a nurturing ground for emerging and established artists for 30 years. One of Ireland’s oldest and largest independent artistic collectives, the Studios have been central to the town’s creative life since 1996.
The Things that Matter Most are the Things That Can’t Be Seen brings together eight artists based at Bridge Street Studios: Orlaith Cullinane, Rachel Tinniswood, Mary Cowan, Suzanne Carroll, Caóilfíonn Murphy O’Hanlon, Orla Barry, Sarah McKenna, and Fiona Quigley. Working across painting, sculpture, print, ceramics, textiles, and mixed media, the exhibition reflects the breadth of practice within the collective.
Taking inspiration from A.A. Milne’s quote, the exhibition marks the Studios’ 30th anniversary and celebrates the unseen forces that sustain creative communities. It highlights the value of shared spaces, where collaboration and connection nurture individual artistic development. Through symbolism, imagery, and personal reflection, each artist explores the theme from unique perspectives, creating a rich and thought-provoking body of work.
Mary Cowan has chosen to look at the idea of connections, considering how each piece relates to others. Her work is hand-built using pinching, coiling, and slab-building techniques.
Rachel Tinniswood uses textiles to investigate the invisible labour of the underworld and the energy stored within tiny organic vessels.
Suzanne Carroll responds to the invisible crisis beneath our coastal waters, working with earth pigments ground from local materials alongside oils and acrylics. Her work explores the underwater gardens of Carlingford Lough, bringing kelp forests and marine habitats into view.
Sarah McKenna’s sculptures of pebble-shaped vessels and gathered branches are inspired by forest walks and shoreline finds.
Orla Barry presents hinged triptych paintings that reveal and conceal hidden thoughts, ideas, and beauty.
Caóilfíonn Murphy O’Hanlon examines intangible heritage and sacred ancient places, using handspun fibres dyed with local plants to create works deeply connected to place and ancestry.
Ceramicist Sarah comments, “For me, being a member of Bridge Street Studios is about so much more than just having a safe place to work… there is this sense of unconditional support where people are honest with you.”
Visual artist Suzanne Carroll adds, “We celebrate 30 years of the studios and its impact on our personal artistic journeys… we can’t wait to invite visitors to Droichead Arts Centre to experience this collection.”
For more information, visit: www.bridgestreetstudios.com