Sculptor, Painter & Printmaker

Marie Fitzpatrick was raised in Connemara on the West Coast of Ireland.

The highly dramatic and emotive surroundings of the sea, wild landscape and mountains gave her a constant source of inspiration. Marie initially studied a BTEC in Art & Design at Chelsea School of Art followed by a BA Fine Art at Middlesex University. Whilst still in college, Marie won the Osborne & Butler art award, UK and the Liquidex Excellence art award in the USA. After graduation Marie went on to win further international distinction with art awards in Japan, Italy, Sweden, USA and the UK as a solo artist and also in group exhibitions. There have been various private commissions with London Print Design, HarperCollins Publishers cover design of Great Grandfather Spirit, Gerber Foods, Acid Jazz Records, The Journey Within CD cover and Jam Recording Studios. Most recently one of Marie's sculptures 'Uma' was selected for exhibition at the V&A in October 2010.

Marie’s work is focused on the powerful opposition of control and chaos. It examines the effect on our personal perception of space and control. There is a sense of the intangible, illusive, fragmented half-remembered scenes that become dislocated abstract projections as they develop to define a structured physical, mental or hypothetical image. This juxtaposition of complete control and total chaos creates a duality that often conceals a network of complexity and tension behind an apparently calm exterior. This in turn allows the potential barriers of these elements to recede and the natural balance between control and chaos to evolve.

SCULPTURE:

Uma (Japanese for horse)

Uma was inspired by the Japanese netsuke, 'Grazing Horse'. The netsuke variety of themes creates an alternative and fascinating miniature world. The symbolism of the horse is profound and diverse. I wanted to create a sense of movement with the grace and agility of the horse juxtaposed by an inner quiet and serene equine world. Shadow Walkers I The idea of shadows and their ambiguity intrigues me. The Shadow Walkers are spectres that move amongst us representing memory, absence, loss, mystery, individuality and group connection. A history of shadow-prints produces a narrative of its own. Those that continue to walk silently without ever taking a single step. Atlantis The stories of Atlantis have always fascinated me. As I was raised on the shores of the Atlantic its smell, colour and movement became part of my identity. The mythical legends that surround Atlantis may be forever steeped in mystery and beyond knowing but that in itself is the very essence of its beauty. The Atlantis sculpture I have created is a merman who has been given the gift of dolphin wisdom and language. Their understanding is such that they have merged as one being and to my mind have settled forever under the waves close to my house in Connemara