Laura McGuire
Bio
Laura is a colourist with a natural ability to manipulate colour to create an emotional reaction from the viewer. She is a painter and printmaker and uses both media with equal confidence to explore and execute her evocative artwork. Research, history and archaeology also play a part in the creation of images. These are used as scaffolding to carry colour. Recently it was research into Schizophrenia and the World War 2 wreck 'Lochgarry' but in the current exhibition it is the history of the sister cities Nashville and Belfast. Her theme of ‘The Changing Face of Belfast’ is ever present. Laura’s work is held in private and corporate collections. In 2002 she received an Individual Artist's Award from the Arts Council of N.I. She is a board member of The East Belfast Collective/Engine Room Gallery, a member of Creative Exchange and Belfast Print Workshop.
Artist Statement for Compositions Exhibition
Laura McGuire's research into the sister cities of Nashville and Belfast revealed that they both grew on rivers in the 19th century. She was intrigued why Nashville became the centre of music and discovered, like Ireland, that the songs were first written about war. In the song' The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down' the lyrics tell of the last days of the American Civil War 1864. Her work on Belfast as a changing city is in stark contrast.