Clare Daly Madden
Clare Daly Madden is a visual artist currently pursuing a part-time degree in Art & Design – Fine Art Painting at ATU Galway. Her passion for art began in childhood, where she spent hours drawing, crocheting, and experimenting with textiles and mixed media. In 1992, she studied Art, Design, and Crafts at Ballyfermot Senior College, followed by a year at Limerick RTC (now TUS). While a career in administration and banking took precedence, her creative drive never faded. She continued to explore art through short courses before returning to college in 2021 as a mature student to refine her painting practice.
Working primarily in acrylics, with elements of oil and mixed media, Clare’s work is deeply inspired by the Irish landscape, memory, and the human connection to nature. Recent achievements include exhibiting in an open-call collaboration in 2023, co-hosting Origins in 2024, and designing the 2024 Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds festival poster. Her work was also showcased at the inaugural 2024 Culture Night in Moore. In 2025, she received a Roscommon County Council bursary and a second festival poster commission. Passionate about community engagement, she is developing arts and crafts workshops to inspire local artists and enthusiasts.
ARTIST STATEMENT
As a visual artist deeply connected to the Irish landscape, my work reflects my personal journey and the natural environments that have shaped me. Growing up in rural Ireland, I developed a strong bond with nature, which continues to inspire my paintings. I explore themes of landscape, memory, and the relationship between humans and nature, capturing the transient beauty of these spaces and evoking a sense of nostalgia and contemplation.
Working primarily in acrylics, I build layers and textures that mirror the complexity of the natural world, occasionally incorporating oils and mixed media for added depth. My paintings often feature elements of the Irish countryside—rolling hills, dense forests, and serene waters—imbued with personal significance. Alongside painting, I have a deep appreciation for traditional arts and crafts, particularly textiles, which influence my creative process. Through my work, I invite viewers to reflect on their own connections to nature and place.
Dates of Residency in Abbey: April 2025 – May 2025
