The Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny, County Donegal, is proud to present Northern Light, a mid-career retrospective exhibition of artist Ann Quinn, opening on Saturday, 5th October at 6pm.

This compelling exhibition, curated by Daniel Nelis, showcases 15 years of Quinn’s artistic practice, offering an intimate exploration of her deep connection with the landscapes and communities she cherishes.

Raised on a dairy farm in East Donegal, Quinn’s paintings offer a personal and atmospheric view of her surroundings. Signs of human presence gradually creep into her work—telegraph poles, chimneys, animals, and the human figure. Often set against the bare light of winter, the artist’s work is firmly rooted in the specificity of place, while at the same time conjuring a world of inward contemplation, or as the artist describes moments where she feels she is witnessing magic.

Ann Quinn

The exhibition navigates between the external world and internal experience, inviting the viewer into Quinn’s work with the landscape acting as a stage for memory, narrative, and the human experience. Quinn’s paintings serve as a visual diary, often focusing on transitional moments—dusk, the onset of winter—where the intensity of light and atmosphere becomes a form of quiet introspection.

This exhibition marks a pivotal moment in Quinn’s career, with the works on display highlighting her careful observation of the natural world, her sensitivity to the nuances of light and landscape, and her ongoing exploration of the human presence within those spaces.

Northern Light opens at 6pm on Saturday 5th October and continues until Saturday 30th November. Free entry, all welcome.

Kindly supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Donegal County Council. With special thanks to Donegal County Library, Donegal Museum, University of Limerick, Taylor Galleries and the private collectors who have contributed to the exhibition.