Collection: Irene Sweeney

Irene Sweeney is a Donegal born artist and a 2020 graduate of Ulster University’s BA (Hons) Fine Art course. She received a First-Class Honours in her degree.

Sweeney’s paintings emit an air of both mystery and intimacy. She welcomes the viewer in to an intimate space where they are invited to immerse themselves in an introspective questioning of self.  These works have a quietly whispered truth hidden in their subject matter which is revealed within the viewers own psyche upon connecting with a piece.  Her realistic technique misleads the viewer into believing that they can physically reach out and touch the subject depicted, adding another sense of delusion to the overall effect.

Throughout her education the artist has been awarded several institutional awards such as the Nicola Nixon Award in 2016 and the Freddie Clifford Award in 2018.