Ciara Aherne is an emerging Irish artist. Her work is in public and private collections in Ireland.
The body of work is an introspective and idiosyncratic commentary of the contemporary world. Focusing on her ability to adopt humour to challenge adversity; a façade of infantile themes concealing morally-weighted concepts emerges.
The colourful and playful imagery found in the work is a satirical illusion of happiness and teases with an inner maternal turmoil. Artists, such as Neo Rauch, Franz West and James Ensor regularly influence her composition and colour.
Her research unveils an innate ironic humour in the societal expectations imposed on women and the oxymorons surrounding our lives. Figures with balaclavas and buckets on their heads reappear throughout the paintings; they serve as a maternal instinct to protect and provide optimism in a rather bleak world.
Education
2021 BAEd. Fine Art, National College of Art & Design, Dublin.
2016 MA Irish History, Maynooth Univeristy, Kildare.
2015 BA, Maynooth University, Kildare.
Exhibitions
2021-22 'Pharmakon', Temple Bar Medical Gallery, Dublin, Curated by Mary Kervick.
2021 'Works', Final Year Exhibition, IMMA, Dublin, curated by Rayne Booth.
2021 'Small Steps', Collective Site-Specific Exhibition, Newbridge.
2020 'Art Feeds', Collective Exhibition, Riverbanks Art Centre, Newbridge.
2020 'Bedroom Gallery', Group Instagram Exhibition, Online.
2019 'Cahoots', Group Exhibition, Inspire Gallerie, Dublin.
2019 'JuneFest', Collective Exhibition, Newbridge.
2019 Yellow Box, Group Exhibition, NCAD, Dublin.
2018 Yearly Exhibition, Group Show, Periphery Space, Gorey.
Awards
2022 NUI Art & Design Award, Ireland.
2016 Military History, Koninklijke Militaire Academie, NL & MU.
Community & Art Education
Content Creator, DyeHouse Films, RTÉ 'This is Art Club!', 2021.
Art Educator, County Carlow Development Initiative, 2019
Freelance Art & Education Roles (Portfolio preparation tutor, tour guide, CPD assistant), NCAD.
Volunteer Art Educator, Rialto Youth Programme, Dublin Learning City Festival, May 2019.