Abbey Road Artists’ Studios Current Residents | Artists’ Studios | Athlone Arts and Tourism

STUDIO 1 – Ciara Tuite

Ciara Tuite is a visual artist and writer, originally from the Midlands, Ireland with a background in Journalism, Performing Arts and Fine Art. She has also travelled extensively and spent time amongst Aboriginal artists in Australia, Butoh dancers in Scandinavia and researching Refugee Camps in Palestine. This has resulted in a multidisciplinary approach to her practice.

A month-long study of movement in Rishikesh, India deepened her interest in "body memory". The physical and emotional experience informs the current body of work; continuing to process human behaviour through colour, light and abstraction. The work is primarily in medium to large scale painting and is defined by bright tones and gestural brushstrokes. It focuses on the physicality of drawing and painting, coupled with the innate human instinct to mark-make.

Ciara has exhibited throughout Ireland and has been awarded many residences at home and abroad. Her current solo exhibition "The Body Remembers" is being held at Siamsa Tire, Tralee, Co. Kerry (Sept-Oct '23) and past exhibitions include 'Rock, Paper, Portal' at Cill Rialaig Arts Centre, Co. Kerry, Ireland (July–August 2022). Her upcoming show is at Cowshed Theatre, Farmleigh Estate, Phoenix Park, Dublin (July-August 2024)

Ciara is currently Artist in Residence at Abbey Road Artists’ Studios, Abbey Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, and a recent recipient of the Longford Arts Bursary award.

Website address: www.ciaratuite.com
Instagram: @cicituite

STUDIO 2 – Vacant

STUDIO 3 – Paul Flaherty

Paul Flaherty is an emerging Irish visual artist, primarily working in painting and drawing. Born in Dublin in 1996, he began his third level education studying engineering technology in AIT Co. Westmeath and continued this interest of technology when he transferred his direction to the Fine Art program at IT Sligo where he graduated in 2021.

Paul’s artistic concerns are to do with the overlap of technology and humanity and the dichotomy of the digital era. Through paintings and drawings the artist explores the idea of digital dualism and living different experiences between physical and digital spaces. As experiences are being translated to the digital space, themes of loneliness and isolation surround the artwork.

STUDIO 4 – Robert Nugent

Robert Nugent is an emerging multidisciplinary Irish artist working out of Westmeath. Studying in MTU, UCC and ATU in Fine Art and Education, he has particularly honed his skills in Drawing and Printing.

Robert’s work is mainly concerned with contemporary iconography and graphic depictions of figures and objects. Working with drawing and painting, Robert depicts figures and objects that are somewhat autobiographical, drawing from his diverse interests and experiences.