Derry born artist Norah McGuinness won a three year scholarship to study at the Metropolitan School of Art in Dublin at the age of 18, where she was taught by Harry Clarke, Patrick Tuohy and Oswald Reeves before moving to London to study at the Chelsea School of Art. In 1923 she won an RDS medal and the following year exhibited for the first time at the RHA. During these years McGuinness supported herself by designing set and costumes for the Abbey and Peacock theatres and illustrated books. Und
er the advice of Mainie Jellett she travelled to Paris to study for a period under Andre Lhote.
In 1957 she was elected an Honorary member of the RHA but resigned in 1969. A founding member of the Irish Exhibition of Living Art, she served as president from 1944 to 1971. McGuinness exhibited regularly at the Victor Waddington, Dawson and Taylor Galleries in Dublin as well as in Leicster and Mercury Galleries in London, Paris and New York. She also represented Ireland at the 1950 Venice Biennale with Nano Reid. A retrospective of her work was held at Trinity College Dublin in 1968 where she was awarded an honorary doctorate in 1973. Her work can be found in the National Gallery of Ireland, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Hugh Lane Gallery, Ulster Museum and the Crawford Gallery.
Norah McGuinness featured strongly in Adam's loan exhibitions:
'Irish Women Artists: 1870-1970' (2014). Please click here to view the catalogue.
'Ulster Artists Exhibition' (2010). Please click here to view the catalogue.
'A Celebration of Irish Art and Modernism' (2011). Please click here to view the catalogue.
'Ireland: Her People and Landscape' (2012). Please click here to view the catalogue.
'Gerard Dillon: Art and Friendships' (2013). Please click here to view the catalogue.
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