Ann Mechelinck

Originally from Belgium, Ann came to live in Ireland in 2005. Coming from a traditional background where artistic dreams were something to be pursued ‘on the side’, for many years her creativity remained what it was: a hobby.

In 2009 she decided to stop waiting for ‘the right time’ to fulfil her childhood dream of becoming an artist and set off on her creative journey, studying an Arts, Crafts and Design course at McEgan College Macroom, followed by a Professional Painting course at St. John's College in Cork, to finally graduate in 2015 in Applied Arts - Textiles at the Crawford College of Art and Design in Cork. The first to graduate in that direction ever!

Since 2017 Ann is working full-time as a self-employed artist. Her classes and workshops enable her to enjoy a wonderful balance between the isolated studio time and meeting other creatives with whom she can share her knowledge and skills. She says they are her way of showing gratitude and giving back to the community for the opportunities she was given.

Inspired by nature and centred around emotions of love, hope, home… her practise is a never-ceasing journey of exploring materials such as rope, paper, yarns… and favours traditional processes like hand-sewing, -stitching and - weaving. Her textile work has been exhibited nationally and internationally as far as Japan and Ukraine.