Solo Exhibition by Athlone artist Claire Guinan

Heart and Soul, Portraits of Irish Musicians celebrates the influential figures who have shaped Ireland’s music scene. Guinan has always felt a deep connection to music, which is reflected in her artwork. For her, music is not only a soulful experience but also an escape from the pressures of the modern world. This collection of paintings showcases Claire’s pride in her Irish heritage. Claire personally met and photographed each musician, except for Phil Lynott, for whom she used reference photos provided by his mother, Philomena.

Claire Guinan is an Irish contemporary multi-disciplinary artist based in the heart of Ireland. She graduated from Limerick School of Design with an Honours Degree in Fine Art and later received a Masters in Cultural Policy and Arts Management from University College Dublin. Claire grew up surrounded by art, music, and poetry and this can be seen in both her artworks and jewellery pieces. She loves the way lyrics and poems stir memories, amplify emotions, and shape our daily lives. She works in a variety of mediums: oils, pencils, watercolours, and precious metals. Her subject matters vary from portraiture to nature, but they all share a deep-rooted link to music or poetry.