An exhibition celebrating the beauty in the ordinary.
“Line has always been foremost in my work practice, and for many years I worked solely in etching. After almost 40 years, I decided to move away from the toxic materials and acids I had been using, to employing greener methods. With the move to drypoint, I have returned to my first love; drawing. I also like the challenge with working on acetate sheets as there is little or no way of correcting a mark made.
This decision to change was made during the pandemic and the various lockdowns. With the change of practice I felt a complete change of subject was needed too; and I found this on walks and in looking at my surroundings in a different way. With the absence of people and cars, I had a heightened awareness, and found a strange, ethereal beauty in abandoned places and objects: beauty that I had barely noticed in the past.
The prints are in a large format; taking many weeks, and several states, until they are finished. The title of the series, Hidden in plain sight, invites the viewer to look, as I did, just a little closer at their environment; and perhaps to also see the unexpected beauty in the everyday.”
Marie-Louise Marting: January 2025
BIOGRAPHY
1960: Born in Dublin, Ireland.
1978-1983: Studied Fine Art at NCAD, Dublin. Graduated, BA (Fine Art).
1983: Joined the Black Church Print Studio, Dublin, Ireland.
1990-1998: Served as a director of the Black Church Print Studio.
1995-2004: Taught Printmaking at Dundrum College, Dublin, Ireland
1999-2000: Established a print studio for the Airfield Educational Trust, Co.Dublin.
2002: Elected to the council of the Friends of the National Collections of Ireland.
2005: Residency at the Cill Rialaig, Ballinskelligs, Co.Kerry, Ireland (also 2017).
2009: Elected a member of the Watercolour Society of Ireland.
2014: Joined the Printmakers Council.
2017: Joined Graphic Studio, Dublin, Ireland
2018: Elected Vice President, United Arts Club, Dublin, Ireland
2018: Elected a member of the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club
2023: Arts Council of Ireland Bursary for green printmaking (also in 2021).
2023: Work acquired by National Gallery of Ireland for permanent collection.
2025: Residency at Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Monaghan, Ireland (also in 2019, 2021, 2022 & 2023, 2024).
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025 Nascosto in piena vista / Hidden in plain sight, Palazzo Bizzarrini, Radicondoli, Italy.
2024 Hidden in plain sight, Esker Arts Centre, Tullamore.
2023 United Arts Club, Dublin, Ireland (also 2020, 2017, 2014, 1988 & 1986)
2020 Paths / Senieri, Chelsea Arts Club, London, UK.
2018 Ricordi della Memoria Palazzo Bizzarrini, Radicondoli, Italy.
2016 Page 35, La Marais, Paris, France.
2010 Making Space Black Church Print Studio Gallery, Ireland.
2009 A year’s passing, Clotworthy Gallery, Antrim Castle, Northern Ireland.
2007 That was Then, Limerick Printmakers, Ireland.
2004 Tuscan Diary, Hallward Gallery, Dublin, Ireland.
2024 Inkscapes, Whitstable, UK.
2025 Woolwich Contemporary Art Fair, London, UK (also 2024).
2025 Royal Academy, London, UK. (also 2023, 2020, 2018, 2017, 1988 & 1987).
1985 - 2025 Royal Hibernian Academy, Ireland (invited 2004, 2007, 2010, 2016, 2020).
2023 Thinking of print, London, UK.
2023 The Society of Graphic Fine Art, London
2017 - 2023 Miniature Print Exhibition, Cadaques, Spain.
2009 - 2025 Watercolour Society of Ireland
2016 - 2025 DPSC, Dun Laoghaire and Dublin, Ireland. (invited 2016, 2017 & 2018)
1987 - 2025 Royal Ulster Academy, Northern Ireland.
2017 New York International Mini Print Exhibition, Manhattan Graphic Center, USA 2019,
2019, 2017 Miniature Print Exhibition, Cadaques, Spain.
PRIZES
2017 New York International Mini Print Exhibition - ‘Honorable Mention’
2003 Royal Ulster Academy
2001 Royal Ulster Academy
1989 Royal Hibernian Academy
1988 Claremorris Open
COLLECTIONS include
National Gallery of Ireland, V&A Museum; Dáil Eireann; Stormont Castle, Northern Ireland; Office of
Public Works, Ireland; Contemporary Irish Arts Society; National Self Portrait Collection, and Butler
Gallery Collection.
BURSARIES
2023 Arts Council of Ireland Agility Award
2021 Arts Council of Ireland Agility Award