Clíodhna Doherty: From Newry to the Louvre – An Artist’s Journey
Laura in her art studio in Newry. The painting is an abstract figurative piece.” />
Yes, you read that right! Clíodhna Doherty, a 29-year-old abstract figurative artist from Newry, is about to have her work displayed in the Louvre. You know, that little place in Paris that Louvres all the other museums? Who knew “Hang it in the Louvre” was going to be a destiny for Clíodhna and not just a meme?
A Family Affair
Clíodhna recently jetted off to Paris with her parents, ready for the Art Shopping fair where her masterpiece, Laura, will be on display. “A fantastic family moment!” she declared, likely while her parents were already planning their own art heist. But let’s be honest, it’s essentially a rite of passage for parents to embarrass their child at this sort of event, right?
The Art Scene
This isn’t just any fair, folks. It’s where collectors gather like moths to a (figurative) flame, hoping to get their paws on some of that sweet emerging artist talent. “Hey, I’m Clíodhna and I’m hoping to sell a piece!” she mentions. Well, best of luck to her! I hope she has a backup plan for selling her art on Etsy if things don’t go as the Monet! (See what I did there?)
“I Thought It Was a Scam First”
Now let’s take a moment to appreciate the path that led Clíodhna here. She transitioned to being a full-time artist in 2020 and admits she initially thought the whole Louvre proposal was a scam. “A wee bit too good to be true?” Well, in today’s world, who wouldn’t assume a last-minute email about a gallery in Paris was just a Nigerian prince looking for someone to launder his money?
From Italy to Art
But as it turns out, it was the real deal. After making waves with showcases in Venice and Cannes (I mean, casually dropping names like that), Clíodhna is now making room for her pièce de résistance in the Louvre. With the Mona Lisa hanging out just a few feet away, she’s got a lot of company. But hey, as she points out, both are works featuring women. Birds of a feather, right?
The Intimacy Collection: A Story Worth Telling
Clíodhna’s painting, Laura, is part of her Intimacy collection and is beautifully honest. She even made a call on social media asking women to send her nude photos—over 136 women responded! No pressure to them, but if you send her a photo, it better make the post-therapy revelations worth it! The final work aims to showcase real confidence and comfort in those “me-time” moments.
A Personal Path to Art
After losing her grandfather during the pandemic, Clíodhna turned to art as a means of coping and self-expression. She realized life is too short to not pursue what you love. And honestly, who needs more rainy days at dull office jobs when you can be creating beauty for the world to admire? With social media giving a stage to emerging artists, it seems the odds are finally looking up for artists like Clíodhna!
In a world where people are skeptical about the financial viability of art (blame it on the STEM obsession!), she’s here, boldly taking up space. And with her work set to display in the Louvre, it’s an incredible testament to following your passion. Who knows what her next act will be?
Final Thoughts
So, in the grand scheme of things and in the wise words of our humor-loving souls: “Art is subjective, but the artist’s journey is relatable.” We watch on as Clíodhna sails into art history, only to later brag about it over a mug of tea and maybe a scone or two. Here’s hoping her story inspires not just budding artists, but anyone who’s ever dared to dream big. Cheers to Clíodhna! 🎨
