Biography
Orla Barry studied Fine Art in Dublin Institute of Technology graduating with an honours degree in 2007. She is based in Bridge Street Studios in Dundalk.
Orla is a painter and her work centres around animals and nature.
Her interest lies in exploring our interconnectedness and relationships with the natural world through visual storytelling, symbolism and playfulness.
She regularly exhibits her paintings throughout Ireland and has had solo exhibitions in the Basement Gallery, An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk and in Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge.
Orla has completed residencies at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Monaghan, Cill Rialaig Project, Kerry, Watershed Studios, Galway, Greywood Arts, Cork, Nes Artist Residency, Skagaströnd, Iceland, Stiwdio Maelor, Wales, Cromarty Arts Trust, Scotland and Takahuhti Artcenter, Finland.
Her paintings are in Taisce Lú, the Visual Art Collection of Louth County Council and The Office of Public Works, Irish State Art Collection.
Statement
I am a painter and my work centres around animals and nature.
My interest lies in exploring our interconnectedness and relationships with the natural world through visual storytelling, symbolism and playfulness.
In my practice over the years, I have focused on communicating the magic and enchantment of wildlife, birds, plants and trees in juxtaposition to modern society and consumption. This intention continually informs my work and seeks to create awareness and appreciation that opens thoughtful conversations around the environment and biodiversity.
In recent years Iconography and Sacred Art have been influences. I have adapted and subverted ideas in a non-religious way from the highly decorative style and structure of traditional sacred art triptychs with hinged doors. The ornate way of painting honours the preciousness of the subject matter.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
2017 CIT
Certificate in the Principles of Art Therapy
2003-2007 Dublin Institute of Technology
2.1 Degree in Fine Art
Exhibitions
2025
‘What if Nature wins?’, Spark Net Gallery, Dublin, November
‘Louth Plein Air’, An Táin Arts Centre, August
‘Conceal/ Reveal’, Louth Craftmark at Farmleigh Gallery, Dublin, July
195th RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin, May
‘Conceal/ Reveal’, Louth Craftmark at Leitrim Design House, Carrick-on-Shannon, May
‘Conceal/ Reveal’, Louth Craftmark at The Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre, Armagh, May
2024
‘Summer Exhibition’, Courthouse Gallery, Clare, June-Aug
‘Summer Exhibition’, Ardgillan Castle Gallery, Balbriggan, June-July
‘Shed’, Bridge Street Studios at The Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre, Armagh, May
‘Shed’, Bridge Street Studios at An Táin Arts Centre, February
2023
‘Flourish’, Bridge Street Studios, September
‘Greater Than’, Louth Craftmark, An Táin Arts Centre, March
2022
‘Making Waves’, The Makers, Blackrock, Louth, August
‘Connective’, Louth Craftmark, Gallery 13, Millmount, Drogheda, July
‘HIDE’ in conjunction with SEEK festival, Bridge Street Studios, July
2021
‘HIDE’ in conjunction with SEEK festival, Bridge Street Studios, July
‘Simple Pleasure’, Louth Craftmark virtual exhibition, April
2020
‘Silver’, Bridge Street Studios 25th anniversary exhibition in vacant shop fronts in Dundalk in conjunction with An Táin Arts Centre, December
‘How we live now’, Virtual exhibition with An Táin Arts Centre, June
‘Glowing Works That Make the Heart Sing’, Basement Gallery, An Táin Arts Centre, February
2019
‘Christmas Show’, Bridge Street Studios, November
2018
‘Just Like Soho’, Basement Gallery, An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk, June
‘Dathanna agus Blathanna’, The Gallery, Listoke, Listoke House and Gardens, Drogheda, July-Dec
2017
‘Louth Craftmark’, The Gallery, Listoke, Listoke House and Gardens, Drogheda, June-Aug
‘Edge’, Bridge Street Studios, Dundalk, September
2016
SOLO – ‘Otherwordly’, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Kildare, May-June
Upcoming ‘One Hundred Years of Heritage’, Louth Craftmark, The Gallery, Listoke, Listoke House and Gardens, Drogheda, Aug-Sep
‘Christmas Show’, Bridge Street Studios, Dundalk, November
‘Christmas’, The Gallery, Listoke, Listoke House and Gardens, December
2015
SOLO – ‘Otherworldly’, Basement Gallery, An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk, July-Aug
“Christmas Show”, Bridge Street Studios, Dundalk, November
2014
“Christmas Show”, Bridge Street Studios, Dundalk, November
2013
“Christmas Show”, Bridge Street Studios, Dundalk, December
“Response”, The Basement Gallery, Dundalk, November
“Response”, The Granary, Tipperary, October
“Response”, Armagh Market Place Arts Centre, August
“Community”, Louth County Museum, Dundalk, July
2012
“All I Want…”, Bridge Street Studios, Dundalk, November
“Links”, Abbey Gallery, Drogheda, October
“Community”, Louth County Museum, Dundalk, July
“Draw Tintin”, Little Green Street Gallery, Dublin, April
“Bridges”, Louth County Museum, Dundalk, March
“Bridges”, The Blackbird Gallery, Kilkenny, January
2011
“Christmas Show”, Bridge Street Studios, Dundalk, November
“Inklings”, Little Green Street Gallery, Dublin, November
“This Space”, Little Green Street Gallery, Dublin, November
“PINK PINK PINK”, Mad Art Gallery, Dublin, September
2010
“Christmas Show”, Bridge Street Studios, Dundalk, December
“The Pointless Pursuit of Shadows”, Signal Arts Centre, Wicklow, November
“Put a Lid on it”, Galway Arts Centre, November
“Christmas 200”, Canvas Galleries, Belfast, November
“Bridge Street Studios”, Cuckoo Initiative, Louth, August
“NIGAT Exhibition”, Common Grounds Café, Belfast, July
2009
“Christmas Show”, Bridge Street Studios, Dundalk, December
“The Christmas 200”, Canvas Galleries, Belfast, November
“Big Ideas, Small Works”, An Clachan Gallery, Donegal, November
2008
“Orla Barry & James Mongey”, The Grange Gallery, Dublin, July
“Our Gift To You”, Carlinn Gallery, Louth, December
2007
“DIT Graduate Show”, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin 1, June
“Showcase of DIT Graduates”, Dame Street Gallery, Dublin 2, June
Residencies
April 2024 – Greywood Arts, Cork
October 2023 – Watershed Studios, Galway
June 2019 – Takahuhti Artcenter, Finland
February 2018 – Stiwdio Maelor, Wales
September 2014 – The Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Monaghan
May 2014 – The Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Monaghan
November 2012 – Cill Rialaig Project, Kerry
June 2012 – Camino Artes, Carrion de los Condes, Spain
September 2011 – Cill Rialaig Project, Kerry
October 2010 – Nes Artist Residency, Skagaströnd, Iceland
August 2010 – Cill Rialaig Project, Kerry
June-July 2007 – Cyprus College of Art (Student at Summer Studio)
Awards
Agility Award 2024
Create Louth Grants 2020, 2019, 2017, 2013, 2011
Matthews Arts Showcase 2015
Create Louth Tyrone Guthrie Bursary 2013
Collections
The Office of Public Works, Irish State Art Collection
Taisce Lú – the Visual Art Collection of Louth County Council
Memberships
Visual Artists Ireland
Louth Craftmark
Bridge Street Studios, Dundalk – Committee Member