Dundalk printmaker embarks on new artistic journey at Creative Spark

Colleen Eilís Murphy is the new artist - in -residence in Dundalk's Creative Spark

Dundalk-based printmaker Colleen Eilís Murphy takes up residency at Creative Spark

Michelle O'Keeffe

27 Apr 2025 11:00 AM

Dundalk-based printmaker Colleen Eilís Murphy is set to begin an exciting new phase in her artistic journey as artist-in-residence in Creative Spark.

Dundalk printmaker embarks on new artistic journey at Creative Spark - Louth Live

Margaret Roddy

The Argus

Thu 1 May 2025 at 06:00

Dundalk-based printmaker Colleen Eilís Murphy is set to begin an exciting new phase in her artistic journey as artist-in-residence in Creative Spark.

A fine art graduate from the National College of Art and Design, she uses vibrant colours and layering techniques in her printmaking. Inspired by mythology and tarot, she reimagines traditional stories.

Dundalk-based printmaker Colleen Eilís Murphy takes up residency at Creative Spark | Irish Independent

Dundalk-based printmaker Colleen Eilís Murphy is set to begin an exciting new phase in her artistic journey as artist-in-residence in Creative Spark. Known for her work exploring mythology, folklore, and tarot, Colleen’s practice investigates how stories shift over time—how they are remembered, reinterpreted, or forgotten. 

Colleen’s approach to printmaking mirrors the structure of storytelling: layered, deliberate, and constantly evolving. She uses screen printing and mixed media techniques to reinterpret traditional symbols, playing with repetition and variation to invite viewers to reconsider familiar narratives. 

Inspired by mythology, tarot, and religious iconography, her work often features striking imagery—such as a suited monkey, a pedigree dog, and a dinosaur sharing space with Adam and Eve. These elements challenge conventional ideas of human origins, evolution, and storytelling with humour and thoughtfulness. 

Colleen’s art practice also extends into community engagement. Facilitating workshops and working collaboratively has become an integral part of her exploration into shared stories and collective memory. They inform her studio practice and allow for a deeper exploration of how myth and identity are shaped through dialogue and exchange. 

Her work has been exhibited across Ireland, including at Rua Red (Borders), Outset Gallery (OXO), and An Táin Arts Centre (Reside). She is an active member of Creative Spark Print Studio, where she continues to expand her practice. 

During her time at Creative Spark, Colleen will explore themes inspired by the Irish language, focusing on how it connects—or disconnects—us from place, memory, and identity. 

This new direction will see her experiment with printmaking, installation, and mixed media—using the FabLab to push her work beyond the page and into more physical forms. Colleen also hopes to connect with the local community to gather Irish words, phrases, and stories that will shape her evolving project.