Theatre Royal Waterford: Into The Spotlight
The Story
Eleven Waterford-based artists whose work has not been publicly viewed since pre-Covid will take part in a group exhibition at Theatre Royal Waterford’s 18th century vestibule next month.
‘Into the Spotlight – a celebration of new Waterford art’ will feature an eclectic mix of work produced in Waterford during the pandemic that includes printmaking, painting, photography, ceramics and multi-media visual art. The exhibition is taking place in partnership with GOMA, Gallery of Modern Art Waterford.
KAYLEIGH REGAN
Kayleigh’s artwork, which uses traditional art methods with a heavy focus on pen and pencil, is inspired by the stories of folklore and history of the area surrounding her Petticoat Art Studio, in the woods of the Comeragh Mountains, as well as the beautiful flora and fauna surrounding her studio.
Based in the Woods in the Comeragh Mountains by Waterford’s Copper Coast, Kayleigh Regan is the artist behind Petticoat Art Studio. Returning home after years of living in Cork City, Kayleigh spent her time exploring and immersing herself in the beautiful natural landscapes that surround her home. Rediscovering the beauty of her home place with a greater appreciation for it, she finds inspiration in the flora and fauna surrounding her home in the Déise.
Kayleigh’s work is also inspired by the stories of folklore and history of the local area which she grew up listening to as a child. A graduate of Crawford College of Art & Design with a degree in Fine Art and a background in multimedia & film production, Kayleigh also holds a second degree in Early Years Education. Teaching in a preschool Kayleigh came to understand and see the world through the eyes of her students and in doing so became reacquainted with the childlike wonder most of us tend to lose as we grow up. As a result her career within early years has had a great influence over her recent artwork as she tries to portray the world from the lens of childhood in an effort to help people rediscover the magical moments hidden in daily events. Inspired by nature, folklore and her work with young children,
Kayleigh draws on children’s abilities to make connections between themselves and their lives and that of their favourite fairytales and characters with their own imaginative twists. Using traditional art methods with a heavy focus on pen and pencil Kayleigh creates drawings portraying regular happenstances in nature through an illustrative style inspired by childlike wonder. Kayleigh’s art captures the natural magic hidden in everyday life to bridge the divide between the ordinary and the extraordinary like so often seen in fairytales and lore.
