Janet Mullarney. Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne
The Arts Council and Aosdána express deep regret at the passing of visual artist and Aosdána member Janet Mullarney.
Chair of the Arts Council Kevin Rafter, said “We are deeply saddened to learn of Janet Mullarney’s passing. One of Ireland’s most celebrated artists, Janet’s works captured a profound beauty sculpted and channelled from the familiar materials and objects of the everyday. Her poignant explorations of the human figure, animals and the world around us drew inspiration from a lifelong passion for travel and experiencing the diversity of different cultures and traditions. I know her work will continue to inspire and be cherished by generations to come”
Born in Dublin, Janet Mullarney frequented the Accademia di Belle Arti and Scuola Professionale di Intaglio in Florence, and spent her time between Italy and Ireland. She traveled extensively and in recent years to India and Mexico and Egypt. Her work was clearly influenced by these sources, especially her knowledge of Italian art and medieval wood carving.
She exhibited regularly in Italy in exhibitions such as Artiste in Italia nel ventesimo secolo, Palazzo Mediceo, Seravezza, Italy (2004): Palazzo delle Papesse, Siena, Italy (2003) and Instituto Francese di Firenze (1996), Villa Romana, Florence (1993). In Ireland she held solo shows in the Orchard Gallery (1992); Limerick City Gallery of Art (1992, 1996, 1999); The Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery, Dublin, (1998); The Butler Gallery (1999); Fenton Gallery (2002); the Crawford Municipal Gallery, (1990, 2003) and the Taylor Galleries (2003).
She was included in group and solo shows in Mexico, Italy, Belgium, the U.S., Canada and China. Her sculpture is included in numerous public collections such as the Irish Museum of Modern Art, The Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin, the Arts Council, Limerick City Gallery of Art, Allied Irish Bank and public spaces such as Groningen, Holland and Royal Victoria Hospitals, Belfast.
She received the Pollock Krasner Award (1998) and grants from the Arts Council and the C.R.C. and was shortlisted for the Glen Dimplex Award, IMMA (1998).
Solar Eclipse / Enda Wyley
for Janet Mullarney
Take a chance. Knock. You might be
let in through that wooden door.
Step carefully but do not be afraid.
He only wants to startle you -
peacock on the kitchen floor,
who flew from Ravenna
and landed here, to strut
below the pomegranate tree.
Indigo blue and emerald green,
this bird of linoleum marquetry -
his eye a fallen fruit, ruby red,
curious within his tiny head.
Take a chance. Go there so you may
know the quiet square, the white door
and how, after the moon has passed
between sun and earth,
sudden light will strike
the lamellae of this bird –
a thousand coloured spots
shimmering on the kitchen floor.
Enda Wyley from, The Painter on his Bike, Dedalus Press, 2020.