Amberden is an Art Studio newly opened in Autumn 2024 on Market St. in Listowel. “Amberden” symbolizes healing and light, offering a solid space for people to come to use art materials in order to socialize and heal.
Primarily an art studio where contemporary abstract, semi-abstract and representational paintings are created by Artist Cathriona Moran. Moran is interested in the resilient nature of humanity and their capacity for transmutation. Moran’s paintings have been collected throughout Ireland and she has achieved an award for excellence in painting from the revenue commissioners. Large and medium oil paintings will be available at an Exhibition to mark the opening night of the studio on December 11th 2024.
After having lived and worked in London for a year and in New York for four years, Moran returned to education, studying at Limerick School of Art and Design achieving an Honors Degree in Fine Art Painting in 2007 and later continued her studies in Cork gaining a Masters Degree in Art Psychotherapy 2014.
Art Therapist Cathriona Moran will be running a variety of workshops to promote healing. She invites you to contact her to book a space in a storytelling workshop, clay workshops or in a support group. During these workshops the symbolism expressed in each individual’s images can be explored and translated.
Support groups can facilitate self awareness and self development, the space is offered to explore themes such as grief, trauma and processing emotions for example anger, anxiety or feeling stuck. These workshops can facilitate incredible healing encouraging a healthy body and mind.
Individual and group work is offered, as well as Art Therapy in the form of “open studio”. Open studio on Monday mornings and on Wednesday afternoons offer a space for individuals to come and use the art materials. The Art Therapist is available in the space to guide the process.
An Art Therapist is registered with I.A.C.A.T. the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists. This education and training is done in order to facilitate healing for individuals who are experiencing challenges with behaviors, emotions or mental health. Art Therapy is for any person who is interested in healing, improving self awareness or processing life events. All aged individuals are welcome.
As an experienced Art Therapist is holding the safe space and guiding the process there is no prior art experience needed. The image can be created by using a variety of materials. The image created offers a mode of communication alternative to verbal communication. Amberden also offers painting classes for adults on Monday afternoons and on Thursdays afternoon/evening. Batik and silk painting as well as support with building portfolios are available. Enquiries are welcome.
Speaking to The Advertiser Cathriona said: “My work deals with the notion of energy, speed, turbulence and the suddenness of changes,which can occur within the human experience. I am particularly concerned with the unknowing power that people possess, which can impact on the lives of others, sometimes in a devastating and irreversible manner. Notwithstanding these abilities and their painful consequences, I am mostly interested in the regenerative nature of humanity, and the transformative ability of individuals with regard to healing, forgiveness and resurrection of the psyche – the ability to transcend the darkness of negativity and in doing so, create an energy, which is propelled by the need to protect and nurture others.”
“The passing of time is integral to the understanding of this transformative process. The use of buildings as a metaphor for both the permanence and impermanence of human endeavor, seeks to highlight the transient nature of life and our fragility and vulnerability, which are manifest on this journey. Likewise, my engagement with figurative work also expresses the energy and vigor associated with this rejuvenation in an aesthetic manner. Through the process of painting I engage with the ephemeral to create the corporeal. Each strand of paint, its fluidity, mark making, and physicality of the work, creates a tangible expression of the intangible.”
