Bernie Leahy: Why Are We

Bernie Leahy studied Design at the National College of Arts and Design (NCAD) in Ireland, before going on to obtain a post grad degree in Art and Design Education, also from NCAD.

She has been the recipient of numerous awards throughout her career, including the Craft Council of Ireland Merit Award for Bursary, and most recently, the 2017 External Exhibition Award from The Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.

Her work has appeared in many publications including Fiberarts Magazine, the Irish Times, and Sunday Business Post. She has also had her work featured on national TV in Ireland, on shows such as The Late Late Show and Nationwide.

Leahy’s drawings and sculptures span a wide range of materials and processes including bronze, plaster, gold leaf, diamonds, glass, text, silver, video, sound, and stitch on canvas. Often through fragments of the human form, themes of connectivity, passion and protection are explored, and form the core of Leahy’s works of art.

She is currently pursuing an MA in Art, Research and Collaboration, and works from her studio in North County Dublin.

Artist Statement
Leahy's artworks seize moments in time, conveying the essence of the subject often through fragments of the human body. Her use of stitch creates an undecorative and gestural form and its marks and textures are enhanced with the resulting interaction with light. Working from live models, she makes hundreds of preparatory drawings before experimenting with materials in layers, to create strong forms while reducing marks in a variety of materials.

Her artworks examine moments of discomfort, awkwardness or realization, prodding at their familiarity. Much of the work has previously used monotone materials but her palette has broadened to include vibrancy of color in recent years. Leahy’s interest in the nature and quality of materials e.g. glass, gold, concrete and bronze have led to a development of sculptural forms. The human form has remained steadfastly central to her work.