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Meath Arts Office in association with Hinterland Festival Kells present
‘Fragile World’
Tuesday 24th June 2025, 09:52 am
An exhibition of new work by award winning sculptor Ann Meldon Hugh at Toradh Gallery 2, Kells Courthouse and Tourism Cultural Hub from 25th June – 16th July 2025.
A personal response to her environment and experience, the exhibition features 30 stunning works in ceramic and bronze capturing the beauty and fragility of our world.
Ann Meldon Hugh was born in Dublin in 1952 and graduated from the National College of Art and Design in Dublin in 1975, specialising in sculpture. She currently lives in Co. Meath. Ann has been working as a full-time sculptor since 1989 and has been commissioned to complete many public sculptures throughout Ireland. Ann works in bronze, stainless steel, stone and ceramic.
‘Fragile World’
“The work in this exhibition in ceramic and bronze is a personal response to my environment and experience. As I grow older, I am increasingly struck by the beauty and fragility of the world around us and the looming dangers caused by climate change as a result of human kinds activities, and the devastating impact of war on the innocent.
I would describe myself as a figurative sculptor but recently I have been inspired by the nature surrounding me in the countryside where I live, so birds, hares and insects are reflected in my recent work.
Clay is the medium I use most, sculpting and texturing each piece individually, colouring with oxides and glazes and firing each piece a number of times. I sometimes use gold and silver leaf and other materials to add another dimension to the pieces.
I love ceramic clay, it is an endlessly versatile medium with exciting possibilities for form, texture and colour and there is always something more to discover and learn. It feels quite magical to harvest clay from the ground and then put it through a process with fire and heat that allows it to live on in perpetuity!”
Ann Meldon Hugh
Public Art Commissions & Exhibitions
-2025 Fragile World – Solo Exhibition, Toradh Gallery 2, Kells, Co. Meath
Supported by Meath County Council Arts Office as part of the Hinterland Festival 2025
- 2017 Weathering the Storm - Solo Exhibition, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
Exhibition of new work at Chimera Gallery.
- 2015 A beautiful life - Solo Exhibition - Kells, Co. Meath
Sponsored by Meath Arts Office as part of The Hay Festival in Kells 2015
- 2015 Red Cube - Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford
Commissioned by Aramark Developments. 2M x 2M, stainless steel with powdered finish
- 2015 Market Place - Newbridge, Co.Kildare
Commissioned by Kildare Co.Co. 5 Bronze, stainless steel and glass panels places along George’s Street in Newbridge to commemorate Market history of street
- 2014 Ar Aigh le Cheile - Donore, Co.Meath
Commissioned by Meath Co.Co. Ceramic Panels.
- 2013 Mol an Oige - Athboy, Co.Meath
Commissioned by the School. Bronze, lifesize
- 2012 Mote Grainne Og Nua - Moate, Co.Westmeath
Recommissioned by Westmeath Co.Co after theft of original 5M high sculpture in bronze and stainless steel by same artist
- 2012 Looking to the Future - Birr, Co. Offaly
Commissioned by Offaly Co.Co - Gateway to Birr Sculpture, Cast concrete 6.2M concrete column with lifesize stainless steel figures around and atop
- 2011 10,000 Words - Solo Exhibition – Navan, Co. Meath
Exhibition of new work, Solstice Art Gallery, Navan, Co. Meath
- 2011 St Mary's Convent - Trim, Co.Meath
5 bronze panels portraying the School’s history and a collaborative ceramic indoor panel.
- 2011 JFK Podium - New Ross, Co.Wexford
Commission by New Ross Town Council, Bronze
- 2011 Navan Town Council - Navan Council Chambers, Co. Meath
Commissioned by Town Council as centre piece for Council Chamber. Large relief
- 2010 Silver Brosna - Mullingar Town Park, Co. Westmeath
Commissioned by Westmeath Co.Co., Stainless steel and bronze installation
- 2009 Spring to Autumn - Dunsaughlin, Co.Meath
Commissioned by Meath Co.Co, Lifesize Bronze on limestone base
- 2009 Laurence Gilson Key of Knowledge, Oldcastle, Co. Meath
Commissioned by Gilson School Board of Governors, Lifesize Bronze
- 2009 Vere Foster Memorial Sculpture, Tallanstown, Co. Louth
Commissioned by INTO and Tallanstown Tidy Towns, Lifesize Bronze, Limestone
- 2008 Mote Grainne Og - Moate, Co. Westmeath
Commissioned by Westmeath Co.Co
5 Meter bronze and stainless steel figure (local Brehan princess)
Stolen in 2011 and replaced in 2012
- 2007 JFK Memorial Artwork - New Ross Quay, Co. Wexford
Commissioned by New Ross Town Council
Curved limestone wall with lifesize bronze figure and bronze relief
- 2006 At the Canal - Kilcock, Co. Kildare
Commissioned by Kildare Co.Co
Limestone canal lock with lifesize Bronze child
- 2004 Snamh - Drumsna, Co.Leitrim
Commissioned by Leitrim Co.Co
Lifesize bronze figure diving from granite pillar
- 2003 O’Carolan - Nobber, Co. Meath
Commissioned by the O’Carolan Harp Festival Committee
1.5 size bronze of Turlough O’Carolan
- 2001 Sea God Manannan - Soldiers Point, Dundalk, Co. Louth
Commissioned by Louth Co.Co
15 foot bronze boat and lifesize figures
- 2000 Geall na Mi - Navan, Co.Meath
Commissioned by Meath Co.Co
Millenium Sculpture - stainless steel and bronze
- 1999 Spirit of Creativity - Manorbier Castle, Tenby, Wales
Commissioned by Emily Naper
Commemorative Sculpture of Gerard of Wales
Bronze and stainless steel
- 1998 Ferdia and Cuchulainn - Ardee, Co.Louth
Commissioned by louth Co.Co
2 3M high bronze warriors
- 1997 Travel Through Time - Fiat Ireland. Red Cow Roundabout, Co. Dublin
Commissioned by Neil McDermott
3M high bronze spiral
-1995 Madonna and Child - Barrett's Buildings, Blarney Street, Co.Cork
Commissioned by Cork City Council
Lifesize Bronze Madonna and Child
- 1994 Children Playing Football - Mayfield, Co.Cork
Commissioned by Cork City Council
3 Lifesize Bronze Child
- 1993 Gateway to Meath - Clonee, Co.Meath
Commissioned by Meath Co.Co.
3M high bronze man with 4.2M high bronze gate
- 1992 Irish Goat - Goatstown, Co. Dublin
Commissioned by Charlie Chalke
2.5M bronze goat, The Goat Pub, Goatstown
Ann’s work has been shown in numerous group exhibitions in Ireland and the UK. Larger solo exhibitions have been held in Meath, Westmeath and Dublin.
PRIVATE COMMISSIONS
Private commissions command the majority of Ann’s time and energy, and thus make up the main body of her work. This is a direct result of word-of-mouth, an enduring reputation and reliable private collectors.
Presented by Meath County Council Arts Office in association with Hinterland Festival, Kells, Co. Meath ‘Fragile World’ will be on display at Toradh Gallery 2, Kells Courthouse and Tourism Cultural Hub from 25th June – 16th July 2025.
Toradh Gallery 2,
Kells Courthouse Tourism and Cultural Hub, Headfort Place, Kells, Co Meath, A82 RY62
046-9097000
https://www.meath.ie/council/council-services/arts/toradh-galleries
Opening Hours:
Mon- Fri: 9:00am – 5:00pm (closed for lunch 1:30-2:00pm)
Saturday: 9:00am – 4:00pm (closed for lunch 1:30-2:00pm)
Entry Free
Image: “Spring time” ceramic & gold leaf 26x26x70cm
