Donegal-based artist Maria Gasol will today launch an exhibition of works drawing from her personal experience of motherhood.

The exhibition will run at An Grianan Theatre Letterkenny for a month with the official opening today, Monday, September 30th, from 3 PM until closing time. All are welcome to attend and enjoy tea, coffee, refreshments, and conversation.

Gasol has titled her exhibition “Childhood and Motherhood: A Kaleidoscope” due to its eclectic nature. While the works vary in theme, format, and style, they share a common thread: an exploration of the inner world of children through both personal memories and observations of her own children. In addition, the exhibition presents pieces reflecting her personal experiences of motherhood. The works primarily consist of paintings and drawings, but also include collages and installations.

YOU ARE MY UNIVERSE – ‘Childhood and Motherhood: a Kaleidoscope’ by Maira Gasol

From Barcelona, Maria has made Donegal her home, living in Gortahork and working from her studio in Gweedore. She combines commission work (mainly portraits) with her own artistic investigation.

“Motherhood as an experience is very intense: magical, wonderful, life-changing. Really hard at times. It makes you rethink everything and see the world through different lenses,” she said.

“In my practice I often move from dark to light, from sweet to bitter, exploring a wide range of shades and tones from our life experiences. I’m interested in delving into the uncomfortable areas of ourselves with honesty. I think it’s important to talk about things that concern us we often don’t dare say out loud, and I feel compelled to do that creatively. It can be through the use of humour or visual metaphors.”

Mammy Ain’t no Mary Poppins – ‘Childhood and Motherhood: a Kaleidoscope’ by Maira Gasol

She continues: “In the motherhood series, there are works about the over-worrying and urge to overprotect, the feeling overwhelmed, the tendency to judge, the mother guilt.  But also works about kids as solace, or the profound love we feel for them. 

“For the childhood pieces, I’ve often used my own kids as models or even my nephews. I’ve painted my kids ever since they were in the womb. From pregnancy to breastfeeding to newborn, and all throughout the years. 

“I’ve also used myself as a model for some of the motherhood pieces, mainly because it’s easier to pose than to ask someone else to pose for me. I get my own kids or husband to photograph me. It also works as a path to self-knowledge. “

The works in this exhibition have been created over the past few years, with some originating from an Ealáin na Gaeltachta artist bursary (Scéim Sparánachta) received in late 2019. Gasol expresses gratitude for the An Grianan for the space and for art bursaries, which provide artists with the time and space to explore themes and styles without commercial pressures.