It is a commonly held view that in order for artists to express themselves in an evolved and mature way, they should first undergo a difficult life experience. This dictum may be Romantic idealism or a fait accompli, depending on the individual. In some capacity, though, it has informed Frieda Meaney's latest body of work as the death of Deirdre Meaney, her sister and fellow artist, was a trauma partially overcome by visiting locations where they last painted together.
While there are three visual references in the title of the exhibition, the paintings revolve predominantly around the influence of natural and man-made patterns and structures within landscape settings. The most frequent format used by the artist is reminiscent of a bird's-eye view of fields, coastline and isolated structures scattered across the land.
Other works are less open to physical references, as the imagery can be quite complex, with a range of shapes, textures, colours and tones competing with each other. It can be a bewildering mix that, technically speaking, shouldn't work. But in most cases the compositions hang together. It all makes sense, because the turbulence of this abstraction suits the artist's influences, with the impression that each mark and inflection is not just an esoteric whim but something with meaning and resonance.
Runs until July 12th