Thread by @RobertBohan

Thread: Norah McGuinness (1901-88) was an important Irish artist who is best remembered for her stylish angular landscapes of Ireland & images of birds. Im sharing this brief biography of her for #internationalwomensday2021 The Startled Bird (1961).

Born in Derry, she studied at Dublin Met School of Art under Harry Clarke, amongst others. Clarke got her a job illustrating Sterne’s A Sentimental Journey (1926). She also spent time at Chelsea Poly before returning to Dublin as a designer.

Here’s an overview of my artwork. I believe that art should be accessible so have set up an Affordable Art Project. There’s a presentation drawing here for you.

https://twitter.com/robertbohan/status/1369013582248243207

She settled in Wicklow (1925) & was part of the Irish cultural renaissance via the Abbey & Peacock Theatres. She illustrated WB Yeats’ Stories of Red Hanrahan (1927)

In 1929 she left for Paris to study under a follower of Picasso, L’hôte where she was greatly influenced by the Ecole de Paris. At L’hôte’s, Paris (1930) & Two works by L’hôte which show his influence over her in using a style derived from Picasso’s Cubism.

McGuinness divorced in 1930 (taboo in the de facto theocracy of Ireland) & so moved to London & joined the London Group. From 1937-9 she was in NY doing window design. New York (1937-9), Portsalon, Donegal (c1931-7), The Seagull (c1931-7) & East River, New York (1938)

Her first solo exhibit took place in London (1933). St Stephen’s Church, Dublin - known as the Pepper Canister to Dubs (1941), The Nuns’ Cove (1944), Fisherman’s Beach (1937) & New York Skyline (1939)

She returned to Dublin in 1939. She helped found the Irish Exhibition of Living Art (1943) & became its president (1944) for some 20y. New York Harbour (c1945), Frank O’Connor (1949), First Snow (1949) & Autumn Promenade, Dartry (1948)

McGuinness enjoyed travelling in Europe & the US. Although her foreign trips inspired paintings it is her love of Ireland that dominates her oeuvre. Breton Port (1949), Parnell Square (1945), Black Tulips (1943) & Fahan Donegal (1945)

For three decades she designed the windows of the old Brown Thomas stores (now M&S) on Grafton Street. The store was renowned for selling luxury items & a certain chic based on McGuinness’ style. The Old Tree (1946) & Still Life (1951)

Official approval of her work came when she represented Ireland’s debut (along with Nano Reid) at the Venice Biennale (1950). Village by the Sea (1953), Deirdre Mc Clenaghan (1952), The Sugar Loaf (1956) & The Customs House (1954)

McGuinness illustrated Elizabeth Bowen’s The Shelbourne (1951). The Castle (1958), A Hyacinth (nd), The Harvesters (1959) & The Shelbourne by Elizabeth Bowen (1951)

She was elected Honorary RHA in 1957 but soon resigned from this notoriously conservative group. The Startled Bird (1961), A Quiet Place, Small Fields of Donegal (1959), Flowers in Crete (c1959) & The Melon (c1960)

One of McGuinness’ most famous works is Garden Green. Vine Terrace, Italy (1960), In the Algarve (1961), Crete (c1959) & Garden Green (1962). You can see her work in public galleries across Ireland.

She enjoyed painting rock pools, Shells & seabirds. Estuary Pools (1966), Seaweed Shapes (1965), Shells & Pools (1966) & Flowers (1960). I find her images of Irish bird life particularly iconic.

In the late 60s her colour palette became starker with greater gravity & style. Tide Receding (1960s), Black Seaweed (1969), Orange Shapes (c1970) & The High Hedge (1970). I really love the latter & it’s elegant style.

McGuinness was honoured with a Retrospective at the Douglas Hyde (1968) & awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Dublin, Trinity College (1973). Pattern on the Feather Bed Mountain (1975), Rathmullen Shores (c1971), Deserted Cottage (1971) & Evening (nd)

Some of her most atmospheric works were created near the end of her career. A Golden Evening (c1970), The Little Hayfield (c1970) & Lapwings (c1975). The last contains a gentle visual joke in that the stream on the right looks like a heron

Here’s more on my artwork. Let me know if you have any questions!

https://twitter.com/RobertBohan/status/1368975508923383815