Cathy Hughes

I grew up in Westport, Co Mayo in the west of Ireland. I spent my summers in nearby Old Head, Louisburg and on Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands. The colours of the landscape, the maritime environment and the imagery of the Celtic mythology found in these locations have been a significant and ever present factor in my art. I currently live in Galway.

I have been immersed in Irish Arts and crafts since I was a child. While studying at University College, Dublin, I spent my summers working in the family craft business on Inis Mor, Carraig Donn. Surrounded by the locally produced, handmade Aran knitwear and immersed in the thriving indigenous industry, my works hint at the tactile textures of wool and hand spun tweed. From an early age I painted anything to hand - including the very stones of Aran itself.

Today I am lucky to count a number of west-of-ireland and international artists as mentors and inspirations. These include the late Owen Walsh, his son Canadian artist Ronan Walsh and Mayo's own Tony O'Malley. My recent work has tended towards the abstract, utilising mixed media to communicate shades of Celtic mythology, alongside more contemporary folklore and customs.

I sell most of my work through Dolan'...

Social science degree university college Dublin 1978
Burren collage of art

Upcoming Exhibitions:
18 th September 2015 - NUIG Gallery, Galway