Annie Leona 'LORE'
3 AUGUST - 31 AUGUST 2024
Showcasing the latest work of fashion designer Annie Leona, Lore is a collection of linen pieces inspired by Irish landscapes, time and folklore. With an ethereal quality that conjures visions of a magical, mythical time, Annie’s creations celebrate beauty, heritage and tradition. Growing up in County Armagh, Annie Leona learnt how important and significant the area was to our once rich linen industry. Today, paying homage to traditions of yesteryear, Annie breathes new life into heritage techniques and fabrics through her contemporary vision.
Annie Leona is endlessly inspired by Irelands wild and untamed beauty. Growing up in rural Ireland, I have always found a solace and serenity in nature. My mother, an English teacher, would relish in telling me old stories of fairies and folklore before bed; and as all children do, the next day, jotter in hand, I would begin the interrogation of this enchanted and magical world I so desperately believed we lived in. As an adult I have tried many times to polish off the cracked and tattered lens of childlike wonder and reignite this vision. To once again, immerse myself in nature and feel a stir within my very core, a tranquility that floods my veins and an ineffable peace within my soul.
“It is this ephemeral feeling that I turn to for inspiration; the comforting emptiness that ensues when the earth falls silent, the veil drops and the moment becomes deafening, when we rediscover reality as though for the very first time. It is these fleeting yet mesmerising moments of lucidity that I will forever try to encapsulate.; to mould my perception of the world and allow it to beautifully bleed into my work.
From paintings to design to creation, I will always endeavour to pay homage to the little girl who would dance with the fairies, walk barefoot in the rivers and find solace among the trees. Let us re-immerse ourselves in the captivating beauty to be forever found in wildness and pay homage to this beautiful and orphic land we call home.”
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This collection is a sentimental echo of all that I adore. Growing up I have always found solace and serenity in nature and literature alike. My mother, an English teacher, would relish telling me old stories of fairies and folklore before bed. As all children do, the next day, I would delight in the interrogation of this enchanted and magical world I so desperately believed we lived in. As an adult, I have tried many times to polish off the cracked and tattered lens of childlike wonder and reignite this vision.
Ever inspired by our mythic and foreboding landscapes and the secrets that they covet, I have pieced together this collection in an endeavour to pay homage to Ireland’s bygone era of rich cottage industries. It is an ode to the unyielding spirit of Ireland’s artisanal legacy that we once held so dearly; tucked away into the corners of our orphic land seeped in secrets and forgotten legends.
Weaving pieces of our story together “Lore” is an encapsulation of Ireland’s lost talents and the faint desolate whispers of days gone by, it is a tangible essence of the many tales that were once shared between whitewashed walls when wonder was found in the ordinary. It is the saga that haunts the lonely willow tree, the myths that dwell among the forest ferns. and the whispers that are carried in the wind.
Each unique handcrafted “LORE” piece is a tribute to the many mythical stories passed down through generations from the mystic allure of foxgloves to the protective aura of Hawthorne trees. As you explore this exhibition, let the stories of ancient Ireland and the timeless elegance of Irish Linen transport you to a world where myth and reality intertwine; revealing the enduring magic of Ireland’s gorgeous cultural legacy.
EVENTS
Embellished Linen Purse
Saturday 31 August
In this workshop, led by fashion designer Annie Leona, you will bond and hand stitch linen, to create a beautiful unique embroidered purse as seen within the collections of Annie Leona. Annie deigns her purses, made from vintage Irish linen handkerchiefs and lined with luxurious satin, with a sentimental nod to our local textiles history. Detailed with intricate hand embellishments each purse is wholly unique, making these the perfect gift for a special occasion or wedding.
Book Online islandartscentre.com/whatson