Thanks to everyone who came to Belfast Print Workshop last night to see Fionnuala McGowan’s exhibition. If you missed it, it’s on until February 29th.
This series starts with paper, transforming it into an active part of printmaking. Dive into the textures and forms through folded sheets, and McGowan’s innovative use of paper in constructing collagraph plates.
Fionnuala McGowan’s solo exhibition, entitled "Folds and Faults," delves into the intersection between three-dimensional objects and their illusionistic reproductions.
Combining print and sculpture, McGowan employs raw materials and photographic images to prompt viewers to question their perceptions. The abstract and geometric forms found in nature, architecture, and science serve as inspiration, with McGowan manipulating these images through digital techniques or physical methods like folding, crumpling, or photocopying. The resulting works carry an illusion of space, blurring the lines between the natural and artificial, real and illusory.
This series uniquely begins with paper, expanding its role within printmaking by making it an active participant in the creative process. The prints explore the physical qualities of paper, including its texture and form through folded and crumpled sheets. McGowan also utilises paper as a medium to construct collagraph plates, pushing the boundaries of traditional printmaking. Unconventional methods, materials, and installations are recurring themes, exemplified by her use of iron and copper powder in collagraph prints, a departure from conventional inks and a nod to traditional etching materials.
Fionnuala McGowan, a Belfast-born artist, is predominantly recognised for her work in printmaking. Having studied Fine Art: Painting and Printmaking at the Glasgow School of Art from 2010 to 2014, she also spent time at L'École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts during an exchange programme. Post-graduation, McGowan co-founded Mobile Print Studio, an organisation promoting printmaking through pop-up workshops in and around Glasgow.
McGowan's contributions to printmaking have earned her the Glasgow Print Studio Prize and recognition in Printmaking Today. Her artistic journey extends beyond her hometown, with residencies in Scotland, Belgium, and Athens, and exhibitions across Europe. Notable showcases include "The Love of Print" at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow, "Journeying to That Which is Missed" at Snehta Gallery, Athens, and "Metanoia" at IFAC Arts, Athens. Her work has found a home in the permanent collections of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and Glasgow Print Studio.
Join us at Belfast Print Workshop for an immersive experience as Fionnuala McGowan explores the intricate connections between dimensionality and illusion in "Folds and Faults." This exhibition promises a visual journey through innovative printmaking techniques, challenging perceptions, and a unique perspective on the fusion of art and raw materials.