New exhibition ‘Time Lapse’ by Maria Noonan-McDermott launched at Strule Arts Centre

A new exhibition exploring memory, family, loss and love is now on display at the Strule Arts Centre, where Donegal artist Maria Noonan-McDermott presents her first solo exhibition, Time Lapse, in the Strule Gallery.

Originally conceived as a personal tribute to her late mother, Maisie, who lived with Alzheimer’s, Time Lapse has, over the course of its tour since 2022, grown into something much greater than a single story.

What began as an intimate chronicle of care has evolved into a collective exploration of what it means to remember, to let go and to carry love forward through art.

Time Lapse features an extensive body of paintings accompanied by original poetry, as well as archival installations drawn from Maria’s mother’s private collection, including sketchbooks and clothing from her fashion design studies at the Paris Academy in London, circa 1959.

The exhibition opened at the Strule Gallery on Thursday, September 3, and runs until Saturday 26 September. It is open daily from Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5pm, and admission is free.

A public gallery tour by Maria will take place in the Strule Gallery at 12.30pm on Friday, September 18.

Speaking on the exhibition, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Debbie Coyle said: “Maria Noonan-McDermott’s Time Lapse offers a moving and deeply personal reflection on memory, loss and the enduring nature of love, expressed through the medium of art.

“The exhibition provides a thoughtful opportunity for reflection and connection, allowing visitors to relate the work to their own experiences of illness, caring for loved ones, bereavement and memories of family.

“It also highlights the important role of venues such as the Strule Arts Centre in supporting artists, encouraging creativity and giving communities the chance to experience and connect with the arts.”

Speaking on the inspiration behind the works contained within the exhibition, Maria Noonan-McDermott said: “The loss of a defining relationship can profoundly alter our sense of self, leaving us uncertain of who we are or where we belong.

“Yet, Time Lapse also considers how love continues beyond absence, extending roots in new directions and creating connections between past, present and future.

“Each venue and audience encounter has opened new questions within the work. Visitors have shared their own experiences of illnesses, caregiving, bereavement and family memory, transforming the exhibition into a space for contemplation, recognition and shared understanding.

“Time Lapse is therefore not a fixed exhibition but a living and evolving multidisciplinary body of work. It reflects on the turning points that shape our lives and the journeys of growth, transformation and remembrance through which we continue to carry those we have loved.”

This exhibition is supported by the Irish Hospice Foundation, the Creative Ireland Programme, and the Donegal County Council Arts Bursary.

If you require any further information on any of the above, or Strule Arts Centre programme of entertainment log on to www.struleartscentre.co.uk or contact 028 8224 7831, email: strulearts@fermanaghomagh.com.