I couldn’t live
My name is Sandra Hickey. I am an Irish artist. I have painted and drawn for as long as I can remember.
Painting has a hold on me like no other, it possesses the ability to both calm and torment a soul in equal measures and I wouldn’t want to be without it!
I perfected my practice at the Limerick School of Art and where I studied Fine Art- and I obtained my at the National College of Art and , also specialising in painting. I had the extreme fortune of joining the painting animation team and working in beautiful Gdansk. To work alongside such talented and interesting artists from all around the world was a true honour.
My experience working onwas life-changing, I got to meet and work with so many exceptional people, learn from different cultures, and develop my skills while exploring Poland’s beautiful landscape.
The subject matter I’m drawn towards is figurative and portraits, some quite abstract, though since working on and painting in the Van Gogh style my eye is developing a love for landscape too. I have always been a fan of Vincent Van Gogh so to get to be a part of this labour of love that is Vincent is something incredible.
I was born in Cork and grew up near the Cork and Kerry border in Knocknaloman.
I now live in Cork city.
I have three older brothers, Derek, Kevin and Brendan. My mother is Norah Hickey and my late father was Brendan Hickey.
My earliest childhood memory is playing with my brothers outside my family home.
The people I admire the most would be Frida Kahlo and Vincent Van Gogh. Both showed such determination and focus through difficult times in their lives and rebuilt themselves when life dealt them a poor hand. I find that inspirational.
Donald Trump, for so many reasons.
That wouldn’t be my field of expertise, if I’m honest, but it would be someone who can listen to the needs of the country and act accordingly.
I was recently in Paris and I finally got to see Claude Monet’s Water Lilies in person and that was a memorable moment for me. Incredible.
I would say I’m a fan of and I’m looking forward to the next series when it comes out.
Red FM.
I can make a pretty decent Thai Red Curry but my culinary skills don’t match my painting ones, I have to say.
Uncle Pete’s on Paul Street.
by Paula Murphy.
by Alice Sebold.
I’ve been listing to Michael Kiwanuka recently.
I couldn’t choose just one, it all depends what mood I’m in.
It would have to be Radiohead or Massive Attack.
I don’t, sadly, because I wouldn’t have the space for one, but I love animals.
I’m more of a night owl myself but I try to be a morning person when it’s needed.
I’m a bit of a spendthrift on other people but on myself I’m a bit of a saver.
It would have to be getting to work on a project as unique as and getting to work alongside so many incredible artists from all over the world.
More galleries.
Painting, it’s the only thing I’ve been sure of. It has the power to calm my spirit and challenge me in the same moment and I couldn’t live without it in my life.
I would like to be remembered for my paintings, I hope that people can take something from them, even when I’m long gone.
I am having a solo exhibition , which opened in the Triskel Arts Centre on January 3, followed by a screening of Loving Vincent. It will run until March 1. I will also have a solo show in December, 2019 in St Peter’s, Cork.
MORE ABOUT THE TRISKEL
EXHIBITION
, contains two bodies of work by Cork-based artist Sandra Hickey.
The first style of work is inspired by her time working on Oscar nominated Loving Vincent.
The second is figurative, abstract work showing the human body, distorted in ways that portray that the aesthetic isn’t always perfect but that the beauty is in the imperfections.
For more on the events and programme for Triskel for 2019 see https://triskelartscentre.ie/
