About the Artist
Artist Biography
Claire O’Shea is a mixed media painter based on the southwest coast of Ireland, working under the name CiCi. Largely self-taught, she has painted since her early teens, later refining her practice through dedicated study, including an intensive programme with the Milan Art Institute in 2020. Her distinctive mixed media style explores themes of resilience, hope, and healing.
Following the loss of her sister to suicide, Claire’s work deepened in emotional resonance, with art becoming both a personal outlet and a way to connect with others. She now advocates for mental health awareness and believes strongly in the transformative power of creativity. Guided by music, meditation, and lived experience, she brings warmth and connection to her work, offering moments of light and hope even within themes of loss and struggle.
Since 2021, CiCi has exhibited widely across Ireland, presenting both solo and collaborative shows, while also curating exhibitions that support emerging artists. Her work often contributes to raising awareness and funds for suicide prevention charities, combining creative expression with meaningful social impact. Claire is a member of the VAI (Visual Artists Ireland), CAS (Cork Arts Society) and WCC (West Cork Collective)
Artist Statement
Art is my language of healing, an intuitive and personal process that helps me explore emotion, find meaning, and create balance in my life. Beyond this, I see art as a way to foster connection: to evoke a shared sense of humanity and spark empathy in a world that can often feel disconnected. Through my work, I aim to offer a space for reflection, where honesty and hope can quietly emerge.
Working in mixed media, I embrace curiosity and complexity, creating across multiple genres. My visual language is bold and vibrant, defined by bright colour, energetic mark-making, symbolism, and layered pattern. These elements come together to express vitality, playfulness, and optimism, while remaining grounded in deeper themes of resilience, transformation, and renewal.
I seek to connect with viewers on a visceral level, engaging both emotion and imagination, and inviting a sense of possibility.
At its core, my work reflects a belief in persistence: that we can move through adversity with creativity and determination. Life may knock us down, but there is strength in rising. Through my work, I hope to offer a visual reminder of what is possible when we keep moving, keep dreaming, and keep creating. - Claire (CiCi)
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