Press Release Summer 2005

Áilleacht Chroí – Natural History, a stunning exhibition of new paintings by Rayleen Clancy and Blawnin Clancy is currently running in Joan Clancy Gallery in the Ring Gaeltacht in Co Waterford. This new body of work is inspired by the unspoilt and natural beauty of the Ring peninsula, with themes and brilliant colour reminiscent of the wonderful Summer 05, and canny collectors are snapping up these well-priced paintings.

Rayleen's canvases, delicately wrought with almost microscopic detail, are largely inspired by horseback rides through forests in the Drum Hills in townlands with mystical names like Rí na Phiobaire (King of the Pipers). Her work is a celebration of the wealth and abundance of wildflowers and perennial weeds in these forests which are seasonally inhabited with hordes of flying insects sporting exotic hues.

Blawnin Clancy's exquisite isolated detail from parts of Helvick Cove, Faill a'Staicín, Baile na nGall and other locations, are finely painted and engage the viewer with the tranquillity and timelessness of her work. Her use of muted and earth-bound tones suggests a patina of history and age.

Rayleen and Blawnin are steadily gaining excellent reputations as artists; their work forms part of civic, corporate and private collections in Ireland, Europe and the US. Both have had successful solo exhibitions in STAC and were featured on Nationwide on RTE1. Earlier this year their paintings garnered much acclaim in Waterford Healing Arts Trust at WRH. They regularly exhibit in Joan Clancy Gallery, Ring.

Rayleen studied at NCAD and at San Francisco Art Institute and graduated from Dun Laoghaire IADT in Film Studies. Her work was included in the 173rd RHA Annual Exhibition.

Blawnin studied at Crawford College of Art & Design and graduated from NCAD. Her painting The Swimmer was chosen from Ireland and UK to appear in the 2005 Daler-Rowney Calender.