Niamh Collins – Paintings and Mosaics 

The abstract paintings are often a response or reaction to an emotional situation or event which might occur during the course of that painting’s development. This is often very personal and private, and sometimes hinted at in the title.

As well as applying paint with brushes, rags, palette knives etc, I like to experiment with printing techniques, using clothes belonging to friends and family, as well as shoes, cardboard and other found materials. While these printed details provide abstract patterns and structure, and an element of surprise and randomness, they also hint at references to experiences outside the painting.

On one level, these are my own personal experiences, but they can also be related to the viewer’s own experiences and interpretations. Or they can be seen simply as pictorial devices.

Although the paintings are abstract, they sometimes have a landscape-type space, and may contain subtle references to land and sea.

I also make mosaic-framed mirrors. They are made from recycled and vintage china (plates, tiles etc), and I sometimes add buttons, glass, beads and other bits and pieces. I enjoy searching for the materials (usually in charity shops), and look for interesting colours and patterns and themes.

I also get satisfaction from taking some old unwanted, mismatched, discarded objects, and combining them with bland readymade mirrors to create something which is unique, decorative and functional all at the same time.

www.niamh-collins.com (contact me via my website, or by email: niamhcollinsjackman@blueyonder.co.uk

telephone 0117 9682728 or 0781 8851842