Geraldine Folan is a native Galwegian, hailing from Bearna, on the shores of Galway Bay. Geraldine's paintings are a response to the distinctive climate of the West of Ireland. She is exploring, both in large canvasses and smaller ones, the rapidly shifting weather patterns and changing light effects.

A recent move inland toward Lough Corrib has shifted her inspiration and she is currently exploring an interest in abstract art. This path has opened doors to a variety of media allowing her to work with acrylics, oils, charcoal, colllage crayon and pencil, often in short intense bursts of creativity.

Geraldine's work can be found in the collections of the University of Galway; Dept. of Arts, Sport and Culture, Dublin; Computer Troubleshooters, Galway; Benchmark Electronics, Dublin; Knowledge Trade, Galway; The Galway Clinic; Connemara Coast Hotel, Aran Biomedical and in private collections in Ireland, England, United States, Sweden and Australia.

"As each painting nears completion, it reflects a part of me I hadn’t known. Abstract work has a way of revealing hidden facets of memory and experience. But what I find most fascinating is the connection it creates with others: viewers often bring their own memories or interpretations to the pieces. In this way, the painting becomes a living work, standing on its own merit, inviting personal discovery for everyone who engages with it. This dynamic interaction between my work and the viewer continues to surprise and inspire me."

Exhibitions

2025 "Conamara UnConstrained", Solo Exhibition, Oughterard
"Lough Corrib: Our Legacy, Ár gCroí", uachtarARTS Group Exhibition. Courthouse, Oughterard

2024 Brigit’s Garden
"Conamara Inspired by Harry Clarke". Clifden Arts Festival. uachtARTS Group
"Endless Horizons", uachtARTS group exhibition Oughterard Courthouse

2023 Clifden ARTS Trail, Clifden Arts Festival
"Full Circle", uachtarArts Group Exhibition

2022 Clifden Arts Trail, Clifden Arts Festival
"Galway Emerges", Group Exhibition, Kennys Art Gallery, Galway Arts Festival
uachtarARTS Group Exhibition, Oughterard Courthouse

2021 Window Trail, Clifden Arts Festival
Stimuli, The Courthouse, Oughterard

2017 Connections Art Fair, Radisson Hotel, Galway

2016 A Year on The Prom, solo show, The Printworks, Galway

2015 Richmond Views, Orleans Gallery, Twickenham, London

2014 Solo exhibition, Anton’s Café, Galway

2012 God’s Garden, solo show, South Tipperary Art Centre, Clonmel
Brigit’s Garden, solo show – A Portrait

2010 Riding High, Moycullen Shopping Centre

2009 Volvo Ocean Race fringe, Orla Murray Financial Services

2007 The Kenny Art Gallery, solo show

2006 Art Ireland 2006, RDS, Dublin
Die Stadt Ibbenbeuren, solo show, Ibbenbeuren, Germany
Schultenhof Centre, solo show, Mettingen, Germany
The Kenny Gallery, Galway
Riverwalk Show, Project ’06, Galway, (Organised and curated by Geraldine Folan)

2003 Art Ireland RDS, Dublin
Conamara Blues, SolasArt Exhibition, The Kenny Gallery, Galway

2002 Art Ireland RDS, Dublin
Clifden Arts Festival, Clifden
Ag Siúl Cois Cladaigh, solo show, The Kenny Gallery, Galway

2001 Art Ireland 2001, RDS, Dublin
Laudare, SolasArt Group Exhibition. Foxford, Co. Mayo
Shadow of Earth, SolasArt Exhibition, Umbrella Galway Arts Festival

2000 Art Ireland 2000, RDS, Dublin
Watershed, SolasArt Group Exhibition. Umbrella Galway Arts Festival
SolasArt Group Exhibition, Art Gallery, N.U.I., Galway
Elements,solo show, exhibition in Ballina Arts Centre, Co. Mayo
Sky Larks, solo exhibition, Gallery 44. Cork

1999 Sky Larks, solo exhibition, ‘An Dámhlann’ Kenny Gallery, An Spidéal

1998 Lorg Ár Lámh, Graduate Exhibition, Umbrella Galway Arts Festival