Fire in the Head

An exhibition of sculptures, works on paper and original music by Irish artist, harpist and singer Sheila Moylan.

Private View: Thursday 23 November 6-9pm
Open by appointment: 23 November – 3 December 2023 (email info@sheilamoylanart.com to make an appointment)

Performances: Saturday 25 November 4-6 PM featuring experimental musicians Flooded Access and Georgina Brett

About the exhibition:

A long-term studio holder at SET, Sheila’s art weaves in and reinterprets the spiral, lozenge and circle designs inherent in Irish megalithic art, which dates back to 3,000 BCE, drawing upon its myths and poetry. The exhibition’s title is drawn from the line “I am the God who puts fire in the head,” from the oldest poem in the Irish language. The faded marks on the stones are brought to life through graphic art informed by Sheila’s research into the ancient art’s design principles. Beyond her visual art, Sheila is a composer and performer of her own music. For this exhibition, she’ll collaborate with musicians who have drawn inspiration from the exhibition’s themes to create a series of one-off live musical compositions.

About Sheila Moylan:

Sheila has always made art, whether it was making props as window display artist and poster designer in Dublin or later when she emigrated to London working with clay and plaster casting on her Fine Art and Psychology B.A. at U.E.L. After a long career of supporting excluded young people, – including running an alternative to GCSE where art was the main subject – she became a self employed musician and art tutor in 2015. During the pandemic she was furloughed and began making art full time in her living room. Her yearning for her homeland meant connecting through the monuments and myths online, and began her research and passion for the neolithic art of Ireland.