Leah Beggs exhibition catalogue V6

LEAH BEGGS
Leah’s paintings are very much influenced by her surroundings. Working with oils on canvas, board or paper,
and responding to visual and atmospheric elements around her, she uses paint in a sketching and layering
process to capture the essence of the landscape of Connemara where she lives.
Her appreciation of this environment speaks to the viewer through her paintings. Her work invokes a sense
of space and stillness in the viewer. The abstract quality of her paintings invites a closer look and reflects a
landscape that changes daily with the elements. Looking at Leah’s paintings, the viewer can almost feel the
power of that landscape, and be momentarily lost in it. The resulting work is meditative for both artist and
observer.
This latest body of work returns to her roots of working on a larger scale, allowing for greater
understanding of the nature of her work, and an appreciation for the detail within each layer
of paintwork.
Leah graduated from Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design (now IADT) in 1996 with a diploma in Fine
Art. Originally from Dublin, she currently lives and works in Connemara, Co. Galway.
Her work forms part of various collections in Ireland including Savills Ireland, DLR County Council, Garda
HQ, Office of the Revenue Commissioners, An Bord Pleanála, Microsoft Irish Art Collection, Charleville
Hotel Rathmines and The Stephen’s Hall, Hotel Leeson Street. Leah was commissioned by the Office of
Public Works to develop ten specific pieces which hang in the National Concert Hall and the Department
of the Taoiseach respectively.
She was awarded an Individual Artist Bursary from Galway County Council in 2011 & 2013.
Recent solo exhibitions include The Market Place Arts Centre Armagh (Jan 2013), The Kenny Gallery
Galway (Feb 2009), The Linenhall Arts Centre Castlebar (May 2009) and The Signal Arts Centre Bray
(Sept 2009). Selected group shows include RUA Belfast (Sept 2008), ‘Ealaíon at Lúnasa’ Group show
directed by Galway City Museum, Galway Arts Centre and Galway University Hospitals Arts Trust (Aug
2009), CCA:RDS Dublin, curated by Helen Carey (Nov 2010) and ‘Not the Royal Academy’, Llewellyn
Alexander Gallery in London (Summer 2013 & 2014). This is her first solo exhibition with Solomon Fine Art.