In the #otherworldly realm of a #mythical isle, lived the captivating Niamh, a #beautiful inhabitant with a heart as pure as the morning dew. One fateful day, as she rode her #mystical #horse Enbarr, fate intertwined her life with that of the valiant Irish hero Oisin and carried him away to live with her in her domain of Tír na nÓg, the Land of Youth. She had two sons and a daughter with Oisín. After more than 300 years of living together, Niamh reluctantly allowed Oisín to visit #Ireland, imposing on him a taboo not to touch the ground there, and once he did, he turned old and was unable to go back to see Niamh ever again.’

Annie Mackin

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I am a painter creating ethereal and surreal scenes rich with pagan and medieval allegory, primarily through oil paint. My work explores how ancient stories, legends, and our ancestral connections convey timeless themes of family, memory, and grief in a modern context. Using soft, otherworldly pastels, I aim to offer a sense of ease around complex subjects of loss and nostalgia, inviting viewers to connect with these universal experiences. The East Sussex landscape and the region's seasonal festivals, which honor the cycles of nature and echo ancient pagan traditions, deeply inspire my practice. Memorials, stone circles, and sacred sites frequently appear in my work, grounding it in a sense of timeless reverence. There is a strong female presence throughout, as I draw from the goddesses and heroines of ancient Celtic stories, honoring my Irish and Scottish heritage by celebrating the powerful women of myth and history. In addition to my painting practice, I am the co-founder of the Hastings and St. Leonards-based mother artist collective, Babes in Arms, alongside painter Elizabeth Power. Through this collective, we create spaces for mothers in the arts to connect, exhibit, and support one another’s work.