LOCAL artist  Dympna Bonfield will launch a new exhibition of her work this September in glór. The exhibition, titled Reflections will run upstairs in glór gallery until Saturday, October 1.

The exhibition comprises 25 vibrant paintings inspired by the unique landscape of Clare and will be launched on Thursday, September 1 at 6.30pm by Joe Lynch.

Dympna exhibits work both nationally and internationally. After spending many years living and working in Dublin she returned west, to her native County Clare.

Much of her recent work can be seen to reflect this move, and draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape resulting in a new found freedom of expression that reflects the essential character and culture of the west of Ireland.

This exhibition takes us on a wonderful, winding road of seashores, surf and sea-swells, of soft bog cotton, of furze, of stony Burren, of childhood, of sand, of home, of friends, of solitude.

From an early age Dympna Bonfield was interested in drawing and painting, and with little or no formal training is still mainly self-taught.

Her career began as a primary school teacher and she later attended the National College of Art in Dublin where she qualified as an art teacher. Whilst teaching and living in Dublin she began exhibiting work in a number of Dublin galleries.

Some years ago Dympna’s career took a new direction when she undertook further training – this time in Goldsmiths College at London University where she qualified as an art psychotherapist.

She has since designed and facilitated a course for psychotherapists enabling them to use art in their work with adults and children.

These courses are now being run in various centres in Ireland. Joe Lynch has been involved in many levels of education over the years and is a skilled musician. Highly qualified in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis he is currently employed by the Department of Education.