A decade-long voyage of creative expression and healing through art unfolds in the captivating exhibition titled 'Alchemist Dreaming', curated by the visionary artist Amanda Cullen. Nestled within the confines of this showcase is a profound testament to the transformative power of artistic exploration, where each stroke of paint and every choice of material serves as a conduit for introspection and healing.
Exhibition Details:
Exhibition runs: 28-29 March
Opening Reception: 28 March (Thursday 5:30-8pm)
29 March (Friday 10-5pm)
Venue: The Depot
Address: 12 Mary's Abbey, Smithfield
Dublin 7, D07 XR70
Cullen's artistic journey is an embroidery woven with threads of intuition and instinct. The organic style of her creations speaks volumes, bearing witness to the depth of her emotional landscape and the evolution of her innermost being over the past ten years. With each piece, she invites us to witness the alchemy of her soul, where the raw materials of experience are transmuted into works of profound beauty and insight.
In her artist's statement, Cullen reveals the profound influence of shamanic practices on her creative process. Rooted in the wisdom of ancient traditions, her art becomes a vessel for embodiment, soul retrieval, and the healing of trauma. Drawing inspiration from her teachers at The School of Movement Medicine, Cullen infuses her work with an awareness of the elemental forces of fire, earth, water, and air, creating a symbiotic relationship between the natural world and the canvas.
Artist's Statement:
"My artwork is supported by shamanic practices and assists me in my life’s journey and work towards embodiment, soul retrieval and healing trauma. I have been developing as an artist steadily over the past ten years. My approach is informed by practices handed down to me by my teachers at The School of Movement Medicine. An awareness of the qualities of fire, earth, water and air is incorporated into the relationship I have with the art I make. There is a mysterious quality to my work. It is an intrinsic part of it and of why I create."
"I welcome you to take your time and go on a journey through the space, surrounded by these images. The path will guide you to a central chamber of fluorescence, an expression of the Alchemist’s forging of gold. I hope the experience will inspire you, and remind you of the power of your creativity and your innate right for expression of who you are and why you are here!"
As we traverse the space of the exhibition, we will be enveloped by the enigmatic aura of Cullen's creations. Each piece will beckon us to explore deeper, to unravel the layers of meaning and symbolism that will lie beneath the surface. The venue itself will become a sanctuary for introspection, allowing the art to breathe and speak its truth to those who will be willing to listen.
At the heart of the exhibition will lie a central chamber of fluorescence, a metaphorical crucible where the alchemist's journey will reach its crescendo. Here, amidst a blaze of light and colour, we will witness the culmination of Cullen's artistic quest—a testament to the transformative power of creativity and the innate human longing for expression and connection.
As you emerge from the depths of the exhibition, you will be left with a profound sense of awe and inspiration. 'Alchemist Dreaming' will serve not only as a showcase of artistic talent but as a reminder of the inherent power that lies within each of us—the power to transmute our pain into beauty, our darkness into light. Through her art, Amanda Cullen invites us to embark on our own journey of self-discovery and transformation, reminding us of the limitless potential that resides within the human spirit.