Boob 2: Inflammatory Remarks Painting

Billie Ireland is an artist working from a studio in rural Wales in the UK. Over the past 20 years she has become known for her organic abstract paintings. She also works with ancient and traditional materials often handmade to original recipes. The wider fields of spiritual practice and religious symbolism are reflected in her work and she is continually drawn to themes in nature and the ancient arts. * * * * Since becoming a mother, her work has incorporated personal histories. Narratives have evolved combining her own experience of pregnancy and birth with evolving rituals that are personal yet timeless and cross cultured. * * * * Her recent solo exhibition 'The Hormone Hermit and the Hairy Moon' was extremely well received. * 'Whilst sidestepping the pitfall of sentimentality, Billie Ireland’s recent work about the experience of childbirth deftly negotiates a path between comedy and tragedy. The younger members of our audience hugely enjoyed her carnivalesque, interactive installation whilst her paintings and assemblages probed darker and more dangerous territory for an older audience. On another level her paintings work - as they always have - as beautifully wrought abstractions.' Neil Walker Head of Visual Arts Programming Djanogly Gallery Nottingham Lakeside Arts * 'Congratulations on your fabulous work, you are an inspiration as was Barbara Hepworth before you Who also had twins and a career! I love the delicate way you deal with messy subjects and body fluid in a way that’s non-apologetic For having the audacity as a woman to even use it.' Nikki McKay Artist & Animator * 'It’s always extra special when you can talk to the artist themself about their work but it doesn’t happen very often. The art appreciation group had that privilege today when Billie Ireland, a Nottingham artist now living in Wales, came to Lakeside to talk to us about her exhibition ‘ The Hormone Hermit and The Hairy Moon’. The exhibition is touching, colourful, humorous and exciting and Billie herself is a breath of fresh air, unpretentious, chatty and funny as well as extremely talented. ' Rofie Clennel U3A, Nottingham