Homeless mum's works feature at Ireland's biggest art fair

15 Nov 2024, 13:53 by Jane Lundon · RSVP Live

Mum-of-two Natia Atuashvili, 33, has been a resident of The Salvation Army’s Clonard Road homeless family hub in Crumlin, Dublin, since 2022.

The Georgian national says she uses her art – featuring at Art Source in the RDS - as an escape from the pressure of not being able to live independently.

“I have been in Ireland for seven years but two of those have been in Clonard Road,” she said.

“I’m looking for a house for a long time, it is my dream as it is very stressful for me.

“Art really helps me, when I’m drawing and painting, I’m living in another world.”

More than 15,000 people are expected at Art Source, which opened on Friday (Nov15) and runs until Sunday evening.

Natia’s work will feature alongside pristine prints of Andy Warhol’s iconic Marilyn series, brought to the show by Merrion Gallery.

Stunning motifs by Leah Hewson – niece of U2 frontman Bono – are also on display at the Stoney Road Press stand.

And an artist who uses tactile moss to reconnect people with nature is also at the three-day fair.

Italian artist Paola Di Legge of Ninfa Studio in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, realised the power of moss wall art in enhancing wellbeing after she ditched a high-flying job due to her busy family life.

A Dublin astrophotographer who captures breathtaking images of outer space, and a Ukrainian refugee who paints dog portraits, also have stands at the event.

“Over the past number of years we have seen that the Irish public have shown an enormous appetite for art, and Art Source has become a major destination for buyers who are interested in works from some of the world’s most recognisable artists,” said show organiser, Patrick O’Sullivan.

“As a reflection of that demand, this will be the biggest Art Source to date.

“It offers visitors the opportunity to purchase one-off original artworks to make their home unique and is also an opportunity to meet the artists and find out about their work.”

Art Source runs at the RDS until Sunday evening. For more information and tickets visit artsource.ie.