Artist Statement

ARTIST STATEMENT:

Kerrie Hanna (b.1990, BA Contemporary Applied Art) is a multidisciplinary visual artist whose illustrative practice is centred on co-design and engages with the public realm via a range of mediums to include use of stained glass, murals, and more recently through ‘anti-adverts’ co-opting the use of print media, billboards and bus stops to amplify everyday voices and add a human touch to built environment.

Often within her work, figures are seen in a state of flux, whether folded under the weight of architectural forms, or growing from the landscape. Forms within the work tangle in associative reference resulting in works imbued with deep personal symbolism.

Her intuitive process is used to convey both loose narrative and psychological uncertainty, referencing the surrounding landscape, flora and fauna alongside layered imagery. Her inkblot paintings incorporate foraged pigments from local flora and minerals to emphasise its hyper-locality and site-specific nature.

ARTIST BIO:

Kerrie Hanna’s practice is often socially engaged with a strong focus on projects centred on community arts, peace building and mental health and wellbeing. Kerrie has worked with organisations such as National Gallery of Ireland, The MAC, Belfast City Council, National Trust, Ulster University and Education and Library Board on co-design facilitation projects. She has been the recipient of the Tyrone Guthrie Residency 2025, Curator Space Residency 2025, Ballinglen Arts Foundation Residency 2024, The MAC Community Artist In Residence 2023 and Malone College Artist in Residence 2023.

Kerrie first studied stained glass painting skills during time working as a glass painter on heritage restoration public projects and on new commissions at Glassmarque Design before establishing her own studio. Kerrie has also worked in painting restoration on projects such as Grand Opera House and Queens University.

Her work is held in the permanent collection of National Gallery of Ireland, National Trust and Blackmountain Shared Space.