Contemporary Irish Abstract and Landscape Artist Martina Furlong

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This article with Artist Martina Furlong was originally published in April 28 2020 but has since been updated with new artworks and exhibition details.

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In 2013, having spent 16 years in London, Artist Martina Furlong moved back to Ireland with her Derry born partner and newborn daughter. In 2015 they moved to Martina’s home county of Wexford. And it’s here in the countryside you’ll find Martina, her family, and her art studio.

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If you ask Martina to describe her art she’ll tell you that ‘she paints textured abstracts and landscapes in oil, acrylic and mixed media.’ And when you see it, you’ll appreciate ‘her love of colour, shape, line and movement’.

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We all have a voice inside us that wants to be unlocked.’

Marina Furlong

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For Artist Martina Furlong, painting is a way to unlock that voice and ‘share the beautiful strangeness that comes from her internal world.’ She describes her method of painting as painting ‘from the inside out.’

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And when Martina isn’t painting, often until three in the morning, you’ll find her spending time with her family. She loves listening to music, reading, walking and meditating. ‘I had an interest in meditation for many years. But decided to dedicate more time to it last year. And just recently I completed a year long course in Embodied Mindfulness. Anything I do outside of painting does eventually end up weaving it’s way into my work in some way.’

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Martina also has a range of mixed media constructions, limited edition prints and hand painted jewellery. All her work can be viewed on her website martinafurlong.com. You can also connect with Martina on Facebook, X and Instagram.

But for now, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to feature Martina in our Irish Artist Series. We adore her work her at The Life of Stuff HQ.

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Q&A’s with Irish Artist Martina Furlong

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1. What was your inspiration to become an Artist?

As far back as I can remember I had a desire to draw and paint even though I knew nothing about art. I enjoyed it far more than any other childhood activity and always felt that art was the only thing I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

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2. How did you officially become an artist?

After my leaving cert I went to Scoil Stiofáin Naofa in Cork to do a portfolio course and then went to Limerick School of Art and Design to do a degree in fine art painting. Looking back I feel that starting the portfolio course and working on my art full time is when I officially became an artist.

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3. Where do you take creative inspiration from for your work?

My greatest source of inspiration at the moment is the Irish landscape but I also take inspiration from books, songs, buildings, my mediation practise and people I meet. Seeing the work of other artists I admire always inspires me and encourages me to try new things.

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

Some years ago I was asked to paint a vast landscape of the view from someone’s back garden on a piece of wood measuring 2.5cm diameter so it could be worn as a necklace. My most interesting and enjoyable commission to date was creating a 12x8ft painting for the PoPA wall at Electric Picnic in 2019.

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

I would be delighted to have my work shown in some of the well established galleries in Ireland and worldwide to bring my work to a wider audience. However, if we are talking dreams I would love to exhibit in yearly Pop Up Galleries with other artists to run alongside festivals and events in Ireland and around the world. The white cube gallery space is not for everyone. But art is which is why Pop Up Gallery spaces work so well.

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

I am currently participating in a series of exhibitions with fellow artists, Marja van Kampen and Olivia O’Keeffe. Our ‘Meanderings Of A Colourful Mind’ exhibition has already shown in the gallery at Wicklow and Clonmel Libraries this year. We are currently exhibiting in The Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy, Co.Wexford and the exhibition will run until December 22nd, 2023.
It is an exciting and interesting collaboration as the three of us explore the landscape in an imaginative and colourful way, yet we all have a very unique, distinct style and method of self-expression.
‘Meanderings Of A Colourful Mind’ will open in Clare Museum, Ennis on December 19th and will run in Kinsale and Mountmellick in Spring 2024.

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PIN: Irish Art: Questions and Answers with Artist Martina Furlong

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