🎨 Irish Artistry on Display: Celebrating Local Talent at Insomnia Cafés
At Insomnia, we proudly support Irish artists, showcasing commissioned pieces in our cafés all across the country. Karen Lee, Ruth Moloney, Tim Quinlan, Anna Boles, Kieran Hyland and Ciaran Mccoy (Pigsy) are some of the artists that feature in our cafes. Our commitment to local artists is evident in the vibrant and diverse works that adorn our walls, creating a unique and inspiring atmosphere for our customers.
FEATURED ARTISTS
Karen Lee
Baggot Street, Sutton, Thurles, Howth, Malahide
Originally from Co. Wexford but now living in Dublin, Karen is a multidisciplinary artist having focused mainly on visual art over the past 3 years. Karen’s art focuses on abstract scapes; she is drawn to industrial form and a bright palette. She constructs her work around land and nature with high rise buildings inspired from Ireland and the globe.
Karen spent 11 years working as Coordinator of the Full Time Actor Training Programme of the prestigious Gaiety School of Acting - the National Theatre School of Ireland, and has worked as Production Manager on various short films with Bodecci Film and produced theatre in the National Opera House, Project Arts Centre, Smock Alley Theatre and the Viking Theatre. She is a former board member of the Bayside Community Centre and has worked on many community projects through her art based initiative ‘Bayside Rocks’. She has been a member of Visual Artists Ireland since 2021.
Kieran Hyland
Portlaoise and Athy
Kieran Hyland is an abstract expressionist artist whose emotive pieces are representative of his unique style, values and experiences.
Kieran found meaning and fulfilment in artistic expression, be it through music or stand-up comedy, or through his exploits on canvas. He now believes there is no high comparable to that of satisfying your artistic curiosities.
The blank canvas allows Kieran to confront feelings of fear and inadequacy, but also immense excitement and wonderment of what might be; unearthed from the subconscious, his creations are raw and spontaneous.
His unique style has gained a great deal of traction during the COVID-19 lockdown. His work has been purchased and shipped globally, and hangs on the walls of recording artists, writers and fellow creators from all walks of life.
Ruth Moloney
Carpenterstown
Ruth Moloney is an Irish artist specialising in oil paintings of seascapes and bathers among other themes. Her vibrant colour palette and unique loose style reflects the movement and beauty of her subjects while each piece tells its own story.
Her fine art archival pigment prints are based on her original oil paintings which have been created mostly using the impasto palette knife technique. Ruth is drawn to colour, movement and people. During lockdown she has been focused on the sea.
Anna Boles
Athlone
Anna Boles is a visual artist, who has been living in Athlone for the past 12 years.
Originally from Dublin, Anna swapped the suburban sprawl for a life in the midlands and hasn't looked back. Athlone, and its surrounding areas have turned out to be a source of inspiration for Anna, who has recreated many vistas of Athlone on canvas. From the beautiful views of Lough Ree and its islands to the popular left bank area of the town, where Sean's Bar has been since 900AD, Anna has found inspiration everywhere.
Tim Quinlan
Thurles
Tim Quinlan is an artist, illustrator and designer based in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland. Tim’s work is characterised by detail, color and realism. The subject matter for Tim’s work covers a broad spectrum but his figurative and portrait work is to the fore. Tim also works as a caricature artist which allows for great expression of personality and humour.
Tim has a lifelong love of drawing and creating art and design. His work is typically energetic and vibrant; he enjoys the challenge of depicting action and emotion in his sport paintings and expressing the character of the subject in a portrait. Tim also depicts other subjects in his work such as buildings, animals and man made objects.
Ciaran Mccoy (Pigsy)
Baggot Street
Ciarán McCoy is an Irish Artist known as “PIGSY”. In a former career, McCoy was an award winning architect. As an artist he borrows from his architectural knowledge to create his diverse art work as his alter ego “Pigsy”.
As an award-winning architect, McCoy’s background influences his diverse artistic style, which includes acrylic paint, chalk, oil sticks, spray paint, and charcoal. His art is loose and spontaneous, embracing imperfection, unlike the precision required in architecture. His pieces often feature self-portraits or semi-biographical elements, reflecting his personal experiences and frustrations with dyslexia.
Supporting local artists is a core value at Insomnia. We believe that art enriches our communities and enhances the experience of our customers. By showcasing the talent of Irish artists, we not only provide them with a platform to reach a wider audience but also contribute to the cultural vibrancy of our locations.
Next time you visit an Insomnia café, take a moment to appreciate the art around you. Each piece tells a story and reflects the creativity and passion of the artist behind it. We are honored to be a part of their journey and to share their work with you.