Westmeath duo's work included in new exhibition celebrating Brigid

Two local artists Rosemarie Langtry and Teresa Doyle are thrilled to be part of a national celebration of St Brigid ‘Brigid 1500’ taking place in Kildare during January and February 2024.

Contemporary Irish artist Rosemarie Langtry, from Ballinahown, is delighted to have her mixed media piece ‘Saint and Goddess’ selected for this prestigious event. Incorporating found objects to represent the folklore and history surrounding St Brigid, Rosemarie’s intuitive artwork forms layers within her telltale encaustic wax medium.

Teresa Doyle lives just outside Collinstown in Westmeath. She is an artist and doll maker. Building a narrative of remembering, gathering and belonging, her dolls form stories for the viewer. Teresa’s work is informed by Irish customs, heritage, folklore and the beauty of the everyday life. This Brideog was inspired by a visit to The National Country Museum in Castlebar in 2019. Each St Brigid’s Day Teresa makes a new St Brigid’s Cross.

Their work is included in a novel celebration of the Brigid 1500 celebrations which sees Kildare town become an open air art gallery with 20 local businesses exhibiting 60 works of international and national art in their windows.

This art exhibition titled ‘Unravelling an Icon, Celebrating and Remembering Brigid and her Legacy’, was organised by Sult Artist-led Collective based in Kildare, to reflect the traditions, customs and symbols associated with Brigid’s legacy, to mark the 1500th anniversary of the death of Brigid in February 2024.

Following an international open call in May this year, 215 pieces of art were submitted by artists from all over the world including England, Wales, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Ethiopia, Australia, Japan, Canada, USA and New Zealand as well as from across Ireland.

The exhibition includes paintings, ceramics, photography, film, sculpture, animation, printmaking, stitching, felting, weaving, digital art, stained glass, drawing, embroidery, mosaic, mixed media, batik and textile works.

The free Brigid 1500 Art Trail continues until February 18 and is supported by Brigid 1500 and Kildare County Council.