Juxtaposing Kiernan’s vibrant illustrations with the powerful writing from McElroy, this exhibition Hoor promises to supply an array of aesthetic and linguistic delights to excite the senses.
Ann Kiernan was a student at Eureka Secondary School, Kells, Co. Meath before studying classical animation in Ballyfermot Senior College, Dublin. She is a graduate of the University of Hertfordshire, UK with a Masters in Illustration. Ann has received many international awards for her editorial illustrations. In 2022 along with the RTE Investigates team she won the Social Justice Award for her work on Domestic Abuse: A Year in Crisis.
She has made illustrations for clients such as The Washington Post; Politico Europe; RTE; BETA festival, Dublin; & the Science Gallery, Trinity College, Dublin to name but a few. Her illustrations range in versatility depending on the medium used, from atmospheric brooding inks to vibrant and bold gouache painted illustrations but she places huge importance on emotion in each piece.
Multi-award-winning poet Jim McElroy grew up on the family farm in the Mournes, County Down. Irish Times book critic, Martina Evans, described his writing as a ‘fiercely visceral voice’. His work has been published by The Irish Times, Honest Ulsterman, Bridport Anthology 2019, Poetry Ireland Review, Poetry Ireland Introductions eBook ‘Incredible Things do Happen’, Skylight 47, Abridged, Fly on the Wall Press, Cap Arts New Writer’s Anthology.
'Hoor' became the lead poem in his chapbook ‘We Are The Weather’, which won the International Book and Pamphlet Award 2021 with Poetry Business. In this we can see how 'Hoor' took roots and grew a series of rural-themed poems.
Featuring a series of 8 illustrated works commissioned by Meath County Arts Office in celebration of the poem which received the Francis Ledwidge Award in 2020, Hoor will be on display at Toradh Gallery 2, Kells Courthouse and Tourism Cultural Hub from 8th March 2024 and will remain until 31st May 2024.
Further information can be obtained by contacting the Arts Office at artsoffice@meathcoco.ie or 046 9097000.