My current series of drawings on wood combine research into landscape and a sense of place with a keen interest in experimenting with materials and colour. The mixed media drawings on wood panels, depict scenes from Doñana National Park’s edge-lands and other sites from the South of Spain, perhaps offering ordinary alternatives to the more popular tourist areas. I portray these places, not as a landmarks in their prime, but as intriguing views that might be encountered at random. I use sketches, photographs, and satellite imagery as source material for my work, presenting singular objects like stork nests, cacti, forest fires, and abandoned structures. My work also features aerial views and landscapes affected by extreme weather conditions such as sandstorms and drought in this increasingly warm, dry place. Moving through and making work in this landscape has allowed me to draw meaning from and feel attached to this particular environment.

Deirdre Byrne divides her time between Wexford and Seville. She holds a BA in Fine Art, Painting, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Visual Art Education from the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. Her works have been exhibited internationally. Her latest solo exhibition, ´The Long Way Round`, took place in May at Custom House Studios and Gallery in Westport, Ireland. Group exhibitions include ´ In Absentia`, (2024) Blue Shop Gallery, London, selection to Galería Zunino, Seville, Cairde Visual (2024), Hamilton Gallery, Sligo, 191st RHA Annual Exhibition (2021), Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, selection to 140th RUA Annual Exhibition (2021), Royal Ulster Academy, Belfast, Arte en emergencia (2018), Rizoma Galería, Madrid, Town and Country (2009), Monster Truck Gallery & Studios, Dublin, Winter Salon (2008), Temple Bar Gallery and Studios, Dublin. Her work has also been commissioned for public spaces including ´High Flyers` at Dublin Airport, and ´Passages` at dlrLexicon, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin. Her work is part of the following collections: Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services, Bank of Ireland, Beacon Hospital, Fingal County Council. She has completed residencies at Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Cill Rialaig, Draíocht, SíM, Reykjavík. She has been awarded the Travel and Training Award (2019) and the Agility Award (2024) from the Arts Council of Ireland.