I’m really struggling this November and as WFH begins to lose its shine, I feel like I’m under permanent house arrest.  Throw in a four legged needy dependent and I’m dreaming nostalgically of a past work environment, distant colleagues and reminiscing about an M50 work commute through rose tinted glasses.

When solitary walks in nature were once a voluntary reaction to lifting low spirits, they are now a necessary chore with two year old lodger.  Mitigating wet dog smell, tangled leads and muddied floors the past few weeks has become the new norm, in a home that no longer sparks joy for me.  My winter layers remain out of sight, avoiding a similar fate to my mourne textiles, shaggy dog’s encounter last year with our dog, as I wonder if my home will ever look or feel the same again.

So while I remind myself that ‘this too will pass’ (or so I’m told) I try not to sweat the small stuff and practise what I preach in seeking out moments of sensory joy.  A long overdue trip to the capital with a visit to no. 70, Merrion Square earlier this month, offered that much needed reprieve.  

Getting to experience Georgian Dublin in all its glory from Connemara Carpets’ new showroom on Merrion Road to The Arts Council around the corner on Merrion Sq. reignited some much needed spark. Experiencing a beautiful building and incredible art, reminded me of the magnitude beauty can instil in us and how in those suspended moments ground us, leaving a lasting impression.  Over time and due to circumstance, I had lost focus on what had once brought me great joy and had been a constant in my life; being immersed in the visual arts culture.

Looking at Roisin White’s arresting image Hysteria in the boardroom of the Arts Council, was a reminder of the impact a composition of this scale can have when a room’s proportions are in perfect harmony while also offering a lesson in restraint. Though most of us aren’t fortunate to live with the beautiful features a Georgian space can offer, what we can learn is a considered approach to the opportunities our own homes may present to us.  Attention to detail including finishes, natural light and materials all play their part when exhibiting artwork and when considering the layout on our projects, regardless of your aesthetic.  We also tend to overlook the importance of negative space, citing it a ‘waste of space’ when we look to cram every available surface, ignoring a building’s integrity.

When it comes to maximising impact, particularly with displaying larger imagery, a room’s scale and proportion as well as hanging at the correct height, are all of equal value. Competing with other visual noise in a room for example is a common mistake that might either include a TV screen suspended over a fireplace or positioning an artpiece on a wall that’s rivalling a breath taking view. 

Returning home, I viewed my own ‘acquisitions’ anew, grateful for their endurance and years of priceless joy, vowing to seek further lost moments, as I lit a faithful oil diffuser before commencing my day.

Growing an irish art collection is more affordable than you think and not as daunting as it seems, sparking joy in moments of time.  Start with visiting a gallery, stay five minutes or stay two hours, nobody’s judging. look to artists within your community, who do you know and Whose work do you like? Seek advice if you’re unsure or simply start with buying what you like. Seek out the galleries who represent the artists you most admire, pay them a visit and subscribe to their mailing list.  If you are planning a new build or home renovation project, consider apportioning a percentage of that spend to instilling longterm joy, by investing in Art, seeking out the medium you most like.  Start with as little as 1%, 2% or 5% and see where that journey takes you.  We all make regrettable and expensive mistakes when purchasing fittings for our homes but you will never regret the purchase of an artwork.

While my visual senses are adapting slowly to any surface below 60cm, I am compensated with the new familiar sound of pawprints across our floor which is surprisingly grounding. For now, I really do look forward to welcoming the season of joy and marking its arrival on Dec. 1st.

Do you seek help with starting or growing an irish art collection?

What are the challenges facing you on your project?