Winning artwork by Longford student from Ballymahon goes up on exhibition

Longford student, Abigail McCarthy is pictured with her prize-winning artwork at the opening of an exhibition of winning works from this year’s 71st Texaco Children’s Art Competition at Kildare’s busy motorway services hub, Junction 14 Mayfield.

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A pupil at Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon, Abigail won first prize in the 14-15 years age category of this year’s Competition for her work entitled ‘I’m Fine’. Commenting on her artwork, Final Adjudicator – Irish visual artist, curator and educator – Pauline O'Connell, said:

“Abigail offers a fine tonal pencil drawing where chiaroscuro and contour lines create emotional depth. In this, she captures a quiet, introspective moment – when words might not be adequate – to describe the inner feelings of the subject herself.”

Situated off the M7 motorway near Monasterevin, Junction 14 Mayfield has been transformed into a ‘gallery of artistic achievement’ where each of the 21 winning works are exhibited in 1.5 metres-tall, window-size formats enabling many thousands of customers who visit the venue daily to view the exhibition as they travel. 

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Opening the exhibition – which runs until November 20 next – Liam Fitzpatrick, co-owner of Junction 14 Mayfield said:

“It’s wonderful to be able to provide a window into the world of talent that exists amongst Ireland’s young artists, especially one that can be seen and enjoyed by the countless number of motorists visiting our premises from the local communities of Kildare, Laois, other counties, and even countries, further afield.”