The Gold Ring and the story behind the painting

THE STORY BEHIND THE PAINTING;

Since 2019 I have been developing the concept of representing on canvas the atmosphere created by musicians, storytellers, poets, dancers and singers.   I contacted Muireann Ni Dhuigneain as I was particularly interested in finding some sacred harp music, and following that conversation she commissioned me to create a painting- leaving the brief wide open.

The painting evolved, a group of musicians emerged, seated around a table shaped like a fiddle.  From the outset the musicians, even the instruments were not the focal point, rather the notes merging and blending.

Once I had the group in place I had the idea of inviting Muireann, a musician herself, to help me bring the painting to life.

M U I R E A N N ' S    T E S T I M O N I A L

What a wonderful opportunity to work with an artist of the calibre of Sheena Meagher on the ‘Gold Ring’ Commission. Knowing that I had no previous skill or practical experience of the physical art of painting, Sheena encouraged me to take a very active part in the project from start to finish. She gently probed my thought process behind the commission, explored on several levels, what the picture meant to me and quietly encouraged me to represent this by physically putting paint on the canvas.

 I spent a most enriching and empowering day in her studio where on a one to one basis, she guided me to understand the colour palette, encouraged me to practice on a smaller painting, as she gently oversaw my initial tentative and feeble efforts become more confident and recognisable. By the afternoon, in her view, I was ready to work with her on the actual painting of the ‘Gold Ring’ commission. This process engaged us for a further two sessions in the studio which resulted in a deeper and more profound painting.

Personally, the impact was immense as physically and emotionally I felt a deeper and more profound connection with the painting than I ever thought possible.  While a recording of Willie Clancy, the renowned uileann piper quietly played this beautiful tune on a mobile phone in the background, it suddenly came to life on canvas, as it weaved its way through the fingers and instruments of the four musicians depicted in the painting, to create an amazing sound rising into the atmosphere.  Now, each time I look at the painting, I clearly hear the tune, in all its glorious seven parts and my spirit is uplifted with joy and admiration.

I am happy to recommend Sheena Meagher and her unique, thoughtful, experiential process for a very personal, inclusive, profound and practical experience of completing a commission.

‘Ní neart go cur le chéile’. Míle buíochas.

Muireann Ní Dhuigneáin

Márta 2020.