Two regions reflecting county Waterford’s scenic splendour is brought to canvas and camera in a new exhibition just installed at the Old Market House Dungarvan. The Comeragh Mountains and Bonmahon provide the focus for ‘Explorations -from the Mountain to the Sea,’ a collaborative work by Abbeyside-born painter Sinead Ni Chionaola and Waterford city’s painter and photographer Carmel Kickers (nee Cleary). Report Christy Parker

The works went on display on February 24th, earning highly appreciative responses prior to the official opening on Friday afternoon next (March 6th) when Arts Minister Martin Cullen will join the artists in delivering an address. The exhibition is an extension of their women’s initial ‘Exploration’ theme, which was launched on a national touring platform in 1995. Exploration II travelled to Adelaide, Australia in 1996 and a year later Gothenburg, Sweden hosted a further instalment. Both artists have established international credentials. Sinead, who now lives in Killeagh, says the pictures and photographs “follow the water’s natural progression as it cascades from the mountains to the sea.” Both artists retain a ‘fascination with nature” and while travelling extensively in pursuit of its inspiration, are inevitably attracted to their roots. “It may be something to do with childhood,” muses Sinead. “Climbing Mahon falls and appreciating the wonder that lies there is timeless. I would hope our work would inspire others to do likewise.”
Reviews of their ‘Exploration’ invariably carry high favour. The Arts Council’s revered affiliation, Aosdana, put it as only Aosdana would, in describing Sinead’s work as delving ‘deep into the collective biological and theological memory of our planet, in a search for truth. She shows the fall of water coming out of darkness Her paintings, developed over time and using the dropping of paint, almost weep down the surface.”
Critic John Hunt (of the Hunt Museum) says ‘Carmel’s exploration of the Bonmahon coastline has developed over time to include new studies of water which transforms into solid rock and sensual sculptures which echo human sensuality and its own fluid likeness.”
Personal interpretations have been ongoing since the works went on display on February 24th. Official opening 3pm March 6th. Web: http://www.chionaola.com; http://www.gallerycmc.ie