Meet Elva Mulchrone

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elva Mulchrone.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I live and work between Dublin and London. I am an alumnus of the Economics and Business Department of Trinity College Dublin and my work is informed and influenced by economic data and repeat patterns from a personal and societal perspective.

Whilst I won art awards in school I am from a certain (conservative) background where visual art would have been inconceivable as a career. My parents were very elderly and after Trinity I practiced as a contract lawyer in one of Irelands top corporate law firms for 13 years. A few years after my parents passing (in my early 30’s) I returned full time to visual art. I graduated with a BA (First class) in Fine Art (Paint) from the NCAD (Dublin)in 2016. I have also studied in Udk Berlin. I researched at Columbia University NYC and interviewed Professor Jeffrey Sachs and other notable economists whose theories and data have informed and inspired my current body of work which incorporates game theory, and in particular a game (and equation) I developed with the assistance of a professor in Trinity.

I am returning to education as I have been accepted to the MA painting programme of the Royal College of Art London.

Please tell us about your art.
I make paintings, installations and videos which reflect of the recurrent nature of behavior, economic cycles and pattern in our personal life and in society.

The rhythm in relationships, the role of structures, the cyclical nature of repeat pattern and the consequences of macroeconomic policy forms the basis of my current work. It can be a graph, a number, a line, a note or a movement but essentially it is information which is recurrent, intrinsically complicated and resonant which is my concern.

Conceptually driven, my practice examines the essential component of math’s in aesthetics, a narrative response to social science concerns and is committed to drawing analogies between economics, aesthetics and choreography.

I make this work because it seems we collectively (economically, politically) and personally (My mother was divorced, I am divorced.) seem to repeat cycles and this intrigues me.

I operate within a time lag between argument and interpretation.

Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
It is a struggle. I worked for years and until very recently taught. I think it is essential to submit for all high quality open submissions in your area and I have also submitted for many bursaries and been fortunate to have been awarded a number which has enabled research and the making of work.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I have just had a solo show with Eight Gallery in Dublin. My work is shown internationally with Gibbons & Nicholas who show at Art Fairs and in Project Spaces in the USA.

I have also been selected for inclusion in the Infrastructure Fingal County Council Public Art Programme 2017-2021-Peoples Purchase Scheme and my paintings have been purchased by the OPW State Art Collection so can be seen in some some public buildings. Please check my website to up to date info on where I am showing.

I welcome all interest in my work and subject areas and can be contacted through my website.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elvamulchrone.com
• Phone: 00353 86 9479927
• Email: elva.mulchrone@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elvamulchrone
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElvaMulchrone

Image Credit:
All photography by Baz Al-Rawi

Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.