New exhibitions at Westport gallery

Two new exhibitions will open later this week at the Custom House Studios and Gallery in Westport.

'Fresh to the Salt' is a two-person exhibition by visual artists Angie Shanahan and the late Bridget Flannery (1959-2024), which will be shown in the main gallery space. The exhibition consists of drawings and paintings responding to the artists’ engagement with coastal and riverine landscapes through drawing, sketch booking and mapping. History, placenames and local studies also feed into their preoccupation with the sense of place.

Angie Shanahan’s current practice involves landscape impacted by human presence usually set within a specific water defined place, the coast. She has had numerous solo exhibitions and has participated in numerous group shows nationwide.

During her lifetime, Bridget Flannery’s work was mainly focused on painting and drawing. She consistently exhibited in solo and group shows in Ireland and Europe. Her work is held in public and private collections nationally and internationally.

'False Kingdoms', a solo exhibition presented by Kaye Maahs, will be shown in the upstairs gallery space. Maahs’ practice is devoted to the pursuit of painting. With the aid of photography, she documents moments, places and environments. Images are utilised as navigation props for assistance when she paints.

Maahs’ has held numerous solo exhibitions and has participated in multiple group shows nationally. Award. She has won many awards including the Thomas Dammann Junior Memorial Trust Award and the Hunt Museums Curator’s Choice award.

Members of the public are invited to attend the launch of these exhibitions on Thursday next, August 21, from 6 to 8pm. Opening remarks will be by Anne Hodge, National Gallery of Ireland and Katriona Gillespie, manager of the Custom House Studios and Gallery.

These exhibitions are supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Mayo County Council.