Annmarie’s earlier works are based on the natural cycle of generation, decay and regeneration. In other words, the way in which any moment contains within it the potential for both growth and destruction lies at the heart of her work. Many of the paintings are based on photographic studies and sketches of ravaged sheep carcasses decaying high on the mountainsides of Kerry and Mayo. However, her initial graphic record of post mortem violence and decay is transmuted into vibrant abstract and semi-abstract images, which emphasize the organic transformation and regeneration taking place.
Her next body of work explored another very human experience “Lost Love”. Using the Heart and Lungs from a sheep as a starting point. She draws on the exposed internal organs as metaphors for the visceral crisis experienced in the course of love, life and loss. As the project developed Annmarie found herself working in a variety of different mediums including casting and photography to express her ideas.
Continuing and developing earlier themes, her work deals with life cycles and change. Through more concentrated studies of the sea over the past three years, these paintings are an attempt to express the emotions and feelings exposed through her drawings and observations, such as the force of power in nature, human resistance to change, and the impermanence of all things.
© annmariegreevy 2009
Surge