Deirdre Keohane
Deirdre Keohane is an Irish Canadian Artist recently returned to the DTES of Vancouver.
She was living and working as an Artist in Co. Cork Ireland for the last 16 years. During her time in Ireland she was very involved in many local Community Art projects and founded a thriving Community Arts Centre in Clonakilty in West Cork.
Alongside of her community work, Deirdre has continued to paint and exhibit her oils on canvas. Her magical work reflects her surroundings.
Deirdre’s work has also been collected by Office of Public works and many private buyers in Ireland and North America.
In May, 2013, her artwork was chosen by the Clonakilty Town Council as a gift for the visiting President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.
Deirdre has a BFA from Crawford College of Art, Cork and in 2006 graduated with her H.Dip in Art Education
Received grants in 2016, 2019 and 2021
Deirdre Keohane is an independent Irish Canadian artist living with one foot in both countries.
Her painting and drawings are inspired from her life in Ireland.
Influenced by the landscape of Ireland, the myths, the nature and designs from the medieval Book of Kells.
Her own personal journey is one of survival and is told through her paintings.
Tales of adventure and transformation.
Deirdre is mostly a self-taught artist with a couple of strange Art college encounters.
Through it all, she has won awards, travelled, opened a successful Art Centre and best of all raised 2 amazing adult children.
How has receiving a DTES Small Arts Grant supported your development as an artist?
I have been able to exhibit, meet other artists and buy tools.
How has DTES Small Arts Grants helped DTES artists?
Vancouver art scene is dismal.The DTES grant is a light in the darkness.
How has DTES Small Arts Grants impacted the community?
Giving pride. A different perspective. So many of our people are from an artist mind. And dont fit in to the snob art scene.
