New exhibition “Cé Mise” showcases portraits of older Clare residents

Artist Rachel Macmanus has opened “Cé Mise”, an exhibition of 30 portraits of older members of the local community, on display at glór in Ennis from 21 September until 5 October.

The drawings feature residents of St Joseph’s Hospital in Ennis and service users of Clarecastle Day Centre, each accompanied by a written piece about the subject. Macmanus said the participants were “brave and generous” for agreeing to sit for the portraits.

The project was delivered in partnership with Shanelle Waring, Clare Age Friendly Programme manager, and the Rural and Development directorate of Clare County Council. Support from the activity team at St Joseph’s Hospital and Mary Maloney, manager of Clarecastle Day Centre, was also crucial in coordinating visits and liaising with families.

Macmanus, who previously worked on the 2019 portrait project “No Ordinary People” at St Joseph’s, aimed to spend more time with each subject, listening to their stories while drawing. She described the experience as “very poignant” and noted the importance of giving participants agency over the process.

While the portraits are intentionally rough, with visible finger marks and smudges, Macmanus explained that perfection was not the goal; the work is meant to record the lives and histories of a generation that grew up without modern technology.

Source: Clare Champion. Photo: Viktor Talashuk / Pexels.