St Johnston artist Ann Quinn to hold Northern Light exhibition at RCC

Northern Light, an exhibition of St Johnston artist Ann Quinn, will open at The Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny next weekend.

Northern Light, which has been curated by Daniel Nelis, is described as a ‘mid-career retrospective exhibition’ of her work.

The exhibition showcases 15 years of Quinn’s artistic practice, offering an intimate exploration of her deep connection with the landscapes and communities she cherishes.

Raised on a dairy farm outside St Johnston, Quinn’s paintings offer a personal and atmospheric view of her surroundings. Signs of human presence gradually creep into her work—telegraph poles, chimneys, animals, and the human figure. 

Often set against the bare light of winter, the artist’s work is firmly rooted in the specificity of place, while at the same time conjuring a world of inward contemplation, or as the artist describes moments where she feels she is witnessing magic.

The exhibition navigates between the external world and internal experience, inviting the viewer into Quinn’s work with the landscape acting as a stage for memory, narrative, and the human experience. Quinn’s paintings serve as a visual diary, often focusing on transitional moments—dusk, the onset of winter—where the intensity of light and atmosphere becomes a form of quiet introspection.

This exhibition marks a pivotal moment in Quinn’s career, with the works on display highlighting her careful observation of the natural world, her sensitivity to the nuances of light and landscape, and her ongoing exploration of the human presence within those spaces.

Quinn earned a BA in Fine Art Painting from the National College of Art and Design in 2000 and her work has been widely exhibited in prestigious venues such as the Taylor Galleries, Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland. 

Her accolades include the Anita Young Bursary (2024), multiple Visual Artists Bursaries from the Arts Council of Ireland, and international residencies in the USA and Europe. Her works are housed in collections including the Office of Public Works, Donegal Museum, and Trinity College Dublin.

Quinn was elected an Associate Member of the Royal Hibernian Academy in 2022 and is represented by Taylor Galleries, Dublin.

Norther Light runs from October 5-November 30.