This is Beggs’ second solo show with the Solomon, having had a hugely successful near-sell out debut exhibition in the autumn of 2014. She is a graduate of IADT (formerly Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design) and is currently based in Oughterard, in Connemara, Co. Galway. Since then she has shown extensively throughout Ireland and most recently in London to great acclaim.

For Beggs, time to paint is precious, providing room for contemplation and an escape from everyday life. “FINDING TIME” highlights the importance of this time, whether finding, remembering, sparing or even wasting it. Her paintings are inspired by places, feelings and memories of being emotionally immersed in a landscape and getting lost in the now. The exhibition hopes to reflect and share a sense of the importance of this time with the viewer.

Working with oils on canvas, board or paper, and drawing inspiration from the colours and the exceptional beauty of the surroundings of Connemara, Beggs uses paint in a layering process of hiding and revealing. This results in an abstracted take on a memory that invites a closer look and is meditative, both to the artist and the observer.

Leah Beggs’ work forms part of various Irish collections including Savills, The Doyle Hotel Collection, An Garda Siochana HQ, Office of the Revenue Commissioners, An Bord Pleanála, Microsoft Irish Art Collection, Deloitte (Ireland), Charleville Hotel, Rathmines and the Stephens Hall Hotel in Leeson Street. Leah was also commissioned by the Office of Public Works to develop ten pieces which hang in the National Concert Hall, Dublin and Department of An Taoiseach respectively.