ABOUT
Originally from Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford but now living in Bayside, Dublin 13, Karen is a multidisciplinary artist having focused mainly on visual art over the past 3 years. Recent exhibitions include ‘Reject. Connect’ and ‘Blight/Beauty’ at Smock Alley Theatre as part of the Scene & Heard Festival of New Work and ‘Outside the Box’ at Hen’s Teeth Studio.
She is a recipient of the Creative Arts Residency at the Tara Building and has been commissioned by Dublin Bus and Insomnia Coffee Company amongst private collectors worldwide. Karen’s art focuses on abstract scapes; drawn to industrial form and a bright palette. She constructs her work around land and nature with high rise buildings inspired from Ireland and the globe.
Karen spent 11 years working as Coordinator of the Full Time Actor Training Programme of the prestigious Gaiety School of Acting - the National Theatre School of Ireland, producing the graduation showcase and play each year. She has worked as Production Manager on various short films with Bodecci Film and produced theatre in the National Opera House, Project Arts Centre, Smock Alley Theatre and the Viking Theatre. She is a former board member of the Bayside Community Centre and has worked on many community projects through her art based initiative ‘Bayside Rocks’. She has been a member of Visual Artists Ireland since 2021.
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In May 2023, Karen became the first Artist in Residence of the Bayside Community Centre. ​Her community film documentary project ‘The Bayside Trilogy’ has been part financed by Fingal County Council and was launched by Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy on 18th November 2023. Her next community project 'The HomeStory Map', an interactive and audio guide to Bayside, again financed by Fingal County Council, is aiming to be live by early 2024.
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Her artwork is currently available for viewing in Insomnia Coffee Company, Sutton Cross. If you would like to discuss a commission or collaboration, don't hesitate to get in touch at karen78lee@gmail.com