In Celebration of International Women’s Day,  Butler Gallery presents works by artists Philippa Bayliss, Margaret Becker, Caroline Couchman & Maria Levinge.

We are delighted to recognise the achievements of these four artists by showcasing their work in two of our Collection Galleries. The artists, all based in the South East of the country, were introduced to Butler Gallery by John Kirwan who has had longstanding relationships with these artists, selling their work from The Mermaid Gallery in Inistioge.

Philippa Bayliss’s lush garden paintings are beautifully rendered and full of buoyant colour. Margaret Becker’s prints demonstrate strong graphic mark-making that capture the personality of many a blackbird. Caroline Couchman uncovers the unique characteristics of a selection of horses, birds and fish, all skilfully executed in ceramic and bronze. Maria Levinge introduces us to beloved landscapes that perfectly capture the wilds of Connemara, Mayo and Wexford.

Each of these artists are immersed in and inspired by nature and wildlife leading to the creation of exceptional works that delight us the viewer.

Phillipa Bayliss (b. 1940 Kilkenny) Philippa Bayliss studied at the Byam Shaw School of Art in London. In 1967 she became the first curator at Castletown House, Co. Kildare. Finding inspiration in her surroundings environs, particularly domestic gardens, her work is exuberantly coloured but also carefully constructed, revealing in part her training as a paintings conservator. She held her first solo exhibition in 1976 at the Neptune Gallery, Dublin. Many more have followed since, primarily with Kennedy’s, the Origin Gallery and The Mermaid Gallery. In the 1970s and 1980s Philippa made many large portraits of musicians from the orchestras of Wexford Opera and the Academy of St Martin-in the-Fields. Phillipa spends her time working in her garden in Myshall on the foothills of Mount Leinster which have influenced the suite of garden paintings on view. Her work is represented in many private collections throughout Ireland, Mexico and the USA.

Margaret Becker (b. 1937 Dublin) Margaret Becker studied at NCAD and has been a member of the Graphic Studio Dublin since 1972. She founded the artist-run Leinster Printmaking Studio in Clane 1998 where she still works. Becker is a stained-glass artist and printmaker. After graduating from NCAD in 1960 she worked in ‘An Toir Gloinne’ with stained glass and shared a studio with the artist Patrick Pye in Dublin. Her work is inspired by everyday things, surroundings, people and nature. Margaret has won many awards and has worked on commissions for stained glass windows all over Ireland and Europe. Her work is represented in many private collections throughout Ireland.

Caroline Couchman (b. 1938 U.K.) In 1955, Caroline attended the National College of Art in Dublin and then studied Ceramics in Paris whilst going to the Sorbonne. In 1959, she started Crescent Ceramics in Dublin. In 1962, Caroline changed direction – studying jewellery at the Central School of Arts and Crafts, London, winning a scholarship from The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. From 1963 she was a designer in the experimental jewellery factory of Henry de Laszlo before working as a freelance jeweller in London and Dublin. Whilst raising her family, Caroline returned to making Ceramics, and in 1997 started to sculpt Bronzes as well as. She has exhibited in Ireland, England, France and the USA, and her work features in private collections around the world. Caroline’s twin passions for Art and Wildlife are reflected in her Sculptures, many of which are commissions.

Maria Levinge (b. 1946 Waterford) Maria Levinge lives and works in County Wexford. Her work focuses on plein-air landscapes, gardens and still life. Maria has had six solo exhibitions in Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow and has been regularly selected since 2004 for the Royal Hibernia Academy Annual Exhibition. She has also been included in exhibitions in The Royal Ulster Academy, Eigse, Cairde Visual and the Boyle Arts Festival. She was awarded a Ballinglen Arts Foundation Fellowship in 2019 and in addition has participated in residences in Cill Railaigh, Tyron Guthrie Centre and Umbria, Italy. In 2020, she was part of Na Cailleacha which exhibited nationwide in 2021. She features in the documentary film Dawn to Dusk which has received awards internationally. Her work is represented in many international private collections and in public collections such as Axa Insurance Art Collection, the Office of Public Works Collection & the Ballinglen Arts Foundation Museum amongst others.

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Each year, this day serves as a powerful reminder of the progress made towards gender equality and highlights the work that still needs to be done. In 2024, the campaign theme Inspire Inclusion emphasizes the importance of diversity and empowerment in all aspects of society. This theme underscores the crucial role of inclusion in achieving gender equality. It calls for action to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are valued and respected. Inspire Inclusion encourages everyone to recognise the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalized communities. By working together to break down barriers and foster diversity, we can build a more equitable and inclusive society for generations to come.