“The sensuous curves of the open flower, curious form of the bud, and gossamer threads of the seedhead have captured my vision and attention over time. Drawing the essence of a plant, as opposed to the scientifically botanical is my modus operandum. To look into the quite ordinary, you can find the truly beautiful.”
Gráinne Cuffe specializes in vibrant and detailed studies of plants and flowers. In this exhibition there will be a mixture of both the very large-scale work that Cuffe has become known for, alongside a series of smaller works, some of which are based on the beautiful form of the tulip. Her blasts of colour with their exquisite blends and her somewhat playful forms bring alive the character of the plant.
Gráinne Cuffe is a Fulbright Alumni. Dublin born, Cuffe graduated in Fine Art from Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology, and thereafter pursued her studies in printmaking. She trained in lithography in Tamarind, New Mexico and in etching at Graphic Studio Dublin, Grafico Uno, Milan and Central St. Martin's, London.
Cuffe was invited to Fynsgrafiske, Odense, Denmark in January 2011 to show her work and demonstrate her techniques. She was invited by the French Cultural Attache to exhibit her work in L'Orient, August 2012, at the Celtic Festival. Gráinne Cuffe's etchings are regularly on show in the Graphic Studio Gallery and The Printmakers' Gallery, Dublin, as well as the Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin and the Royal Academy, London.
Cuffe was awarded the D. O'Sullivan Graphics Supplies Award at the Watercolour Society of Ireland's 2012 Annual Show for her etching "Delphinium II". Her etching "Big Tulip I" also won this prize in 1998 at the RHA. Cuffe has recieved commissions from Fingal County Council, Hastings Hotel Group, Oriana Art Collection, P&O Cruises and her work is held in may collections both in Ireland and internationally.