Snapshots of Celbridge – Miniatures – Castletown Gates Sphinx

‘Snapshots of Celbridge’ is part of the Snapshots series which was shown for the first time at Art Source 2019 in the RDS in Dublin. The idea for the Snapshots series has developed from my interest in the built environment and the rich tapestry of history which is embedded within each and every building, street and city.

I paint using clean lines and strong colours. These bold blocks of colour suit the subject of largely urban environments, taking ‘snapshots’ of views which are the familiar evocative pieces that make up the jigsaw of the world we inhabit.

The Snapshots of Celbridge exhibition is a social media-based exhibition involving photographic contributions from the community under the hashtag #snapshotsofcelbridge. The main ‘Snapshots of Celbridge’ piece was originally planned to consist of 36 panels (painted depictions of contributed photos) but due to the number and quality of the submitted photographs, it has been increased to a 49-panel piece – my largest ‘Snapshots’ yet!

As each panel is finished it is revealed on Instagram and then made available on my website as a print. The photo of the Sphinx at Castletown Gates used for this painting was taken by @sophiethedietitian_ .

The sphinx on top of the gates at Castletown, with a human head and the body of a lion, were built in 1783 by Lady Louisa Conolly.

The ‘Snapshots of Celbridge’ exhibition is part-funded by Kildare County Council.