The Irish Palette, a group of eighteen contemporary artists hailing from every province in Ireland, has its first exhibition in Wexford.

Opening on 23rd May 2026 in the Green Acres Gallery, Wexford, The Irish Palette presents Synergy, a collective exhibition bringing together contemporary painters from across the island of Ireland. Each artist brings a distinct voice and approach.

“Its exciting to be a part of a group with so many fabulous talents and see how we spark off each other.” says Gina Fegan.

The Irish Palette is a collective of artists connected by shared training and a drive to develop strong, individual voices. The Irish Palette regularly showcases some of the best contemporary art in Ireland while individually, members have their work held in private and public collections at home and abroad.

“I love to explore what lies between memory and imagination. My paintings fall somewhere between loose expression and careful detail.”  Senga Sharkey has also provided the artwork for Kari Kirkland’s new album due to be released in June.

The artists engage with themes of landscape, memory, myth and the emotional resonance of place. Working with layers, glazes, washes and collages these references are transformed into works that evoke atmosphere and invite personal interpretation.

Deirdre Geraghty is drawn to the ancient myths and legends of her native Kerry. “For me it’s about the freedom to feel and imagine while drawing on symbols and the basic shapes of the countryside around.”

At its core, Synergy is an exhibition where surfaces are built, disrupted, and reimagined, revealing a balance between instinctive gesture and careful consideration. This tension between control and freedom gives the work its energy and depth.

Fran Halpin explores that tension between control and flow. “I paint on raw, unprimed canvas so that inks, paint, and water move freely across the surface, settling in ways that can never be fully predicted. Each piece captures the emotional essence of ‘place’, drawing the viewer into a moment of reconnection with the power and beauty of the natural world.”

Colour moves deftly through the exhibition as a powerful force, bold and expressive, or used with subtlety, it acts as a shared language for the myriad of individual artistic expressions.

The most important thing for Teresa Godfrey is colour. “I love bright, bold, intense colours that demand attention. Regardless of subject, colour is what drives composition in my paintings.”

The title Synergy reflects not only the conversation between the artworks themselves, but also the ongoing relationships within the collective. The Irish Palette is rooted in mutual support and shared learning, and this spirit of exchange continues to shape each artist’s work in meaningful ways. 

Nessa McCormack notes that her “painting practice is a celebration of an energy of life, inspired by the people, architecture, colour and vibrancy of indigenous communities”. Her latest body of paintings captures an embodied feeling of being immersed in a “Pueblo Magico” (magical town) whilst on artist residency in Ajijic, Mexico.

Synergy offers a thoughtful and immersive encounter with contemporary Irish painting; one that invites viewers to pause, reflect and leave with a sense of having experienced something meaningful.

All are warmly welcome to visit during the exhibition period, 23rd May – 7th June 2026.

Exhibition Dates: 23 May – 7 June 2026

Venue: Green Acres Gallery, Wexford

Admission: Free.

For press information, interviews, or images:

Gina Fegan

Mob 0899442288

Email gina.fegan@gmail.com

Website: www.theirishpalette.com

Instagram: @theirishpalette 

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY – 2.30PM OPENING CEREMONY. ARTISTS AVAILABLE BEFOREHAND.