Leprechaun Lolita
2010
Leprechaun Lolita – a strange merge of Irish folk law and Japanese Lolita fashion in 40 shades of green. This body of work takes inspiration from Lolita, the Japanese cultural street movement, inspired primarily by the clothing and general aesthetics of the Rococo and Victorian periods. This fashion movement started in Japan in the 1980s and has evolved greatly since. Nowadays Lolita fashion has grown to be relatively popular all over the world. There are many sub-cultures to Lolita, such as Gothic Lolita (leaning towards the dark side) or Sweet Lolita (incorporating the colour pink). Harriet adds Irish flavor to this trend in her multi-media representations to create a new Irish sub-culture to the movement, “Leprechaun Lolita” brings these themes into an Irish context by including stories and characters from Irish fairy tales.
• Believe In Magic In Your Time Of Crisis 2009 • Medium: Watercolour on Watercolour Paper • Size: 14 x 11 inches • Status: Sold/Private Collection •
• Cupcake Girl 2010 • Medium: Ceramic and Fabric Doll Sculpture • Size: Height 50cm • Status: Sold/Private Collection •
• The Phouka 2010 • Medium: Oil on Canvas • Size: 54 x 70cm (depth 2") • Status: Available •
• Down The Rabbit Hole • Medium: Oil on Canvas • Size: 54 x 70cm (depth 2") • Status: Available •
• Gold Rush • Medium: Oil on Canvas • Size: 54 x 70cm (depth 2") • Status: Sold/Private Collection •
• Banshee 2010 • Medium: Ceramic and Fabric Doll Sculpture • Size: Height 50cm • Status: Sold/Private Collection •
• The Leannán Sídhe 2009 • Medium: Oil on Canvas • Size: 54 x 70cm (depth 2") • Status: Sold/Private Collection •
• Lucky Shamrock Fairy • Medium: Ceramic and Fabric Doll Sculpture • Size: Height 60cm • Status: Sold/Private Collection •
• I See You 2010 • Medium: Watercolor and acrylic resin on Hand Cast Ceramic Plaque with fabric ruffle. • Size: 20 x 14cm • Status: Sold/Private Collection •
• Cutie Honey 2010 • Medium: Watercolor and acrylic resin on Hand Cast Ceramic Plaque with fabric ruffle. • Size: 20 x 14cm • Status: Sold/Private Collection •
• Raining In Leitrim Fairy 2010 • Medium: Watercolor and acrylic resin on Hand Cast Ceramic Plaque with fabric ruffle. • Size: 20 x 14cm • Status: Sold/Private Collection •
• The Mermaid 2010 • Medium: Watercolor and acrylic resin on Hand Cast Ceramic Plaque with fabric ruffle. • Size: 20 x 14cm • Status: Sold/Private Collection •
• Picnic With The Good People 2009 • Medium: Oil on Canvas • Size: 90 x 120cm (depth 2") • Status: Sold/Private Collection •
The Exhibition
Harriet’s 2010 solo exhibition ‘Leprechaun Lolita’ opened at the Art Mart Studios’ Gallery, located on the Mall in Sligo, the exhibition rans from 10th – 17th July 2010. The Art Mart Studios was an independent art space founded by three local Artists who use the space to create work, curate exhibitions and organise events to compliment the art scene in the North West.
Here are some photos from the exhibition:
Original Press Release:
Art Mart Studios Presents
Harriet Myfanwy Nia Tahany
Leprechaun Lolita
"Leprechaun Lolita" opens at the Art Mart Studios’ Gallery, located on the Mall in Sligo, the exhibition runs from 10th – 17th July 2010. The Art Mart Studios is an independent art space recently founded by three local Artists who use the space to create work, curate exhibitions and organise events to compliment the art scene in the North West.
Harriet presents new works which take inspiration from Lolita, the Japanese cultural street movement. She puts these themes into an Irish context by including stories and characters from Irish fairy tales. Harriet attempts to make Irish folklore accessible for today’s modern society by updating them through mixed media. Harriet has studied trends in global art and has adapted these for Irish representation.
Lolita is a Japanese street fashion inspired primarily by the clothing and general aesthetics of the Rococo and Victorian periods. This fashion movement started in Japan in the 1980s and has evolved greatly since. Nowadays Lolita fashion has grown to be relatively popular all over the world. There are many sub-cultures to Lolita, such as gothic lolita (leaning towards the dark side) or sweet lolita (incorporating the colour pink). Harriet adds Irish flavour to this trend in her multi-media representation to create a new Irish sub-culture to the movement, “Leprechaun Lolita”.
The exhibition is in various media, including watercolour, oil paint, sculpture and ceramics. Harriet also introduces new techniques to her portfolio in fabric and doll making crafts. These new techniques are well illustrated with "The Banshee", a suspended ceramic sculpture incorporating both doll making and fabric crafts. Paintings include “The Phouka”, which are reminiscent of Harriet’s earlier works and the familiar duality of sweetness with darker undertones.
- by Cerian Gilhooley