Irish Art: Questions and Answers with Contemporary Artist Debbie Godsell

Irish Contemporary Artist – Debbie Godsell

Debbie Godsell is one of Ireland’s most exciting Visual Artists. She studied at the Limerick College of Art & Design, and the Crawford College of Art where she graduated with a Masters in Fine Art Research in 2002.

Irish Art - Questions and Answers with Contemporary Artist Debbie Godsell - Group Photo -Landscape for Sale by Debbie Godsell - Dreaming
Dreaming, screen print on paper by Debbie Godsell 2016

Since then Debbie has dedicated her passion and talent into her own art expression and the education of her students – she works full-time in the Art Department at College of Further Education, Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa in Cork where she is both the Course Director for Level 6 Certificate in Art, and a full-time Art Lecturer – has guest lectured in a number of colleges nationwide – and delivers workshops in textile screen printing at Cork Printmakers.

Irish Art Questions and Answers with Contemporary Artist Debbie Godsell Group Photo Landscape for Sale by Debbie Godsell Eden
Eden, screen print on paper by Debbie Godsell 2016

Debbie currently lives in Macroom Co. Cork with her family.

It’s an absolute pleasure to feature her and her work here on The Life of Stuff.

Q&A’s with Irish Contemporary Artist Debbie Godsell

Irish Art - Questions and Answers with Contemporary Artist Debbie Godsell - Debbie Godsell Portrait

What was your inspiration to become an Artist?

Since I was a small child I felt the compulsion to become an artist. I also had a great art teacher in secondary school by the name of Liam Nott who encouraged me greatly. I think if you are cheered on by someone at the very early stage of your journey then you are less afraid to take risks and you develop an innate confidence in your own creative choices.

How did you officially become an Artist?

That’s a life-long process! On paper, I studied Art for six years and gained an M.A in Art from The Crawford College of Art in Cork in 2002.

Where do you take creative inspiration from for your work?

Relocating to rural Cork in 2003 completely changed my work. Living in the country opened my eyes to the land around me and how we connect with it. I use also use images from the local landscape as a means of exploring a personal or inner geography.

Irish Art - Questions and Answers with Contemporary Artist Debbie Godsell - 'Mother' Photo Riston Print
‘Mother’ Photo Riston Print

What’s the wackiest request you’ve had to date for commission work?

Nothing too out there really but I have to say that I find it a pretty wacky request for people to ask an artist to display work for free. I have occasionally been asked by businesses and venues over the years to ‘exhibit’, unpaid, as a way of getting ‘free’ advertising for my work. This can be very exploitative, especially for younger artists. A very well-known band once asked to use one of my images for their cover for free. I was a poor art student and could have done with a few quid. I declined.

Where would you love to exhibit your work – the dream?

I wouldn’t turn down the Tate Modern if they made an offer. Though I may have to wait until I’m 70 or 80, or possibly dead, if the current trend for ‘discovering’ female artists continues.

Irish Art - Questions and Answers with Contemporary Artist Debbie Godsell - Group Photo
Artists L-R Sarah O’Flaherty, Fiona Kelly, Debbie Godsell – Photo by Ed Godsell

What are you working on now? Any exhibitions coming up?

Right now I have curated and am showing in ‘Visions of Half-Light’ at the Town Hall Gallery in Macroom, with Sarah O’Flaherty and Fiona Kelly. This is part of an ongoing commitment by the Cork County Arts Office to bring contemporary art to rural venues. I am really excited as it is an exhibition about the land and our current relationship with it. Macroom is an historic market town and is surrounded by a rich agricultural landscape. I really hope all the local farmers come to see it. I’d love their take on things. I will also be showing in the Doswell Gallery in Rosscarbery, Co. Cork in a few weeks. This is a fantastic gallery headed up by the dynamic Roisin Foley.

Irish Art - Questions and Answers with Contemporary Artist Debbie Godsell - Group Photo -Landscape for Sale by Debbie Godsell from Visions of Half-Light Exhibition, Cork 2018
Landscape for Sale by Debbie Godsell from Visions of Half-Light Exhibition, Cork 2018

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All artwork images and portraits featured are courtesy of Debbie Godsell.

Visions of Half-Light runs from Friday July 6th – Saturday July 28th, 2018, Tuesday to Saturday inclusive from 11am to 5pm at Town Hall Gallery, Macroom, Co. Cork.

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For more of Debbie’s works of art, to purchase, enquire about commissioning a piece, or for exhibition news – visit debbiegodsellartist.com

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Irish Art - Questions and Answers with Contemporary Artist Debbie Godsell - Debbie Godsell Visual Artist Ireland*****

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2 Comments
  1. “Art is in the eye of the beholder, and everyone will have their own interpretation.” Drew 🙂

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