Give me my Meaning is a new exhibition by artist Diarmuid Breen.

Give me my Meaning is a visual exploration of some social issues that confront humanity. Diarmuid has been working on a body of paintings for the past seven years with a working title of Existing Realities. The inspiration for his paintings draws on an attempt to make a comment on aspects of contemporary human experience. Diarmuid is concerned with the view that most people spend their lives working to try and achieve status, wealth and the acquisition of material things, while missing out on the basics to a happy life, whatever that may be.

The solid Trapezoid shape in the paintings is a Citadel, the original meaning of which is ‘a fortress that commands’. The Citadel will have different meanings to different viewers. It could be a place of work, a large mortgage, a temple. Whatever it is that commands the viewers attention.

The clouds in the work represent the soundless Drama that unfolds daily above and in our heads.

Born In Cork, Diarmuid Breen graduated from the Dublin Institute of Technology BAVA, Sherkin arts programme in 2012. Since then he has exhibited regularly in Cork and Dublin. He is represented by the Taylor Galleries in Dublin, McKenna Gallery in Omagh, Co. Tyrone and Blue House Gallery in Cork. He has exhibited in the Boyle Arts Festival, RHA Annual exhibitions and was the inaugural winner of the Anita Young Award for a mid career artist at the 191st RHA Annual Exhibition. His works have appeared on a number of book covers including Paul Muldoon’s Frolic and Detour, Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill’s Northern Light and most recently Molly Twomey’s Raised among Vultures.

My inspiration draws on an attempt to make a comment on aspects of contemporary human experience. Firstly, is the function work plays in our lives, people are busier than ever trying to make money but does this lead to happiness in our daily lives?

Secondly, the importance to escape the working environment to give perspective to where happiness lies.

The uncertainty, strangeness and banal nature of everyday life is portrayed using sources found in old books and photographs, giving the paintings a nostalgic sense but still relatable to contemporary experience.

–Diarmuid Breen, artist