Deidre Hierlihy
Printmaker
Artist's Bio
Deidre Hierlihy - Printmaker
Deidre Hierlihy graduated from Queen's University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Fine Art. Upon graduation, she won the Graff Grant, which enabled her to continue her research and work in printmaking for 12 months at Graph, Centre de Conception Graphique in Montréal.
In 1984 - 85, she attended Queen's again in the Artist in the Community program and obtained her Bachelor of Education. She has been teaching art to children, youth and adults in schools and community settings ever since.
Deidre lived and worked in Japan for 18 months (1987 - 88). During this time she taught ESL and studied Japanese wood-cut printing. She has had solo shows in Toronto, Kingston and Bancroft, and has also exhibited in Ottawa, Montréal and Japan. .
Artist's Statement
Deidre Hierlihy - Printmaker
The imagery in my work is inspired by naturally occuring domestic still lifes: kitchen tools, family shoes, basket collections, quilts, the flowers and fences of my neighbourhood. This summer's drive out West provides inspiration for continued work of footwear and landscape.
Most of my current work is linocut. Black and white linocut best expresses my fascination with, and my attention to, the patterns that surround us.
When I need some colour I make small collograph plates, and actively play with colour, generating many colour experiments in a very short time.
My work reflects my everyday life and my lifelong interest in domestic spaces, fabric arts, basket making, architecture and Asian culture.