Bio
Ann Maria Bridges is an Irish contemporary artist from Wexford who studied fine art painting in the DLCAD
Her work moves beyond literal representation,transforming sunlight, terrain, and movement into boldshapes and saturated colour. Landscapes, structures, andmemories are broken into abstract planes, reimagined ascolour and form to express what is felt rather than seen.
The process is intuitive and emotive. She allows the paintto speak, uncovering a balance of darkness and light as organic shapes emerge and colours carry the language of wind, water, and earth. Brushstrokes build in layers that capture nature’s shifting rhythms—from the restlessenergy of stormy skies to the contemplative stillness ofcalm waters.
The resulting compositions exist between chaos andharmony, unfolding like music across the canvas. They invite the viewer to pause, reflect, and drift into a space where memory, emotion, and imagination converge.
Throughout her career, she has held numerous solo exhibitions and participated in various group shows. Herwork has been showcased in esteemed galleries such asthe Blue Leaf Gallery, Gallery Zozimus, Greenacres, PigYard Gallery, and the Stone Gallery. Additionally, herpaintings are part of several notable private collections,including those of Dermot Desmond, Treasury Holdings,
Tell us about who you are and what you do. What’s your background?
My artistic journey began when I was very little. Always most content drawing but it was my way of communicating. In later years I found out why that words were not my friend, I was dyslexic.
I am originally from Wexford now live in Greystones and studied in DLCAD.
I have been luck to have had meany solo shows under my wings over the years, my loves are my two Dachounds that are seldom not by my side and my painting, I would be lost with out either.
What does your work aim to say? What are the major themes you pursue in your work?
My work has always been about capturing the feeling of something. The beauty and complications of human emotions. The balance between chose and harmony and how quick this changes has always fasinated me. Water being the underlying theme and inspiration to capture this. The feeling of not the obvious representational form of water.
Can you walk us through your process for creating a work from beginning to end?
My creative process starts with a sketch, from this I work on a fast painting and within that find a composition to give me a starting point. Then I select a base colour that may or may not be seen in the final painting. The colour palette evolves then, I start with mainly three colours to begin. . During painting the organically idea can then change as the canvas and paint take over the direction and the colours evolve. Focusing on capturing the essence of movement and emotion through layers of brushstrokes and careful attention to composition. To find that finished piece that is harmonious and makes sense to me.
Who are your biggest influences, and why?
Influences such as Matisse, Micro, Kandinsky, Rothko, Monet inspire me with their mastery of portraying movement and emotion through colour . Capturing emotion like sound and music can, but with the visual.
Their emphasis on capturing fleeting moments and evoking strong emotional responses through color and form has profoundly influenced my approach.
How does your work comment on current social and political issues?
While my primary focus is on aesthetic and slowing down time just to be for a moment. Encouraging the act of stillness. Everyone is so busy getting somewhere but where?, to be in the now and just feel, to-day dream to be present. So my work is the Juxtaposition of social media, I hope to encourage viewers to reflect on their own lives and relationships in today’s fast-paced world.
How do you hope viewers respond to your works? What do you want them to feel?
I aim for viewers to feel a connection and have an emotional resonance with my artwork. I want them to be inspired, uplifted or moved by the beauty of human expression and the natural world depicted in my paintings. Ultimately, I hope my art fosters a greater appreciation for the beauty of human movement and emotions.
Abstract painting invites personal interpretation, as its meaning can vary depending on the viewer's perception. Evoking emotions, exploring the complexity of human experiences, representing abstract concepts like chaos, order and harmony.