Aisling Creegan

Aisling worked as an Art Therapist from 1995 to 1997 in St Vincent’s Centre, Dublin.  This involved using art therapeutically with 110 residents with severe to profound learning difficulties .  While there, she wrote a paper on Art Therapy and delivered workshops to visiting medical students and staff.  ‘What struck me most was the power of expression.  These residents could barely communicate, but the moment they put brush to paper, they were saying; ‘here I am—I exist’.  No one can take expression from us, be it singing, dancing, writing, painting and so on.  There is no obscure theme running through my paintings, it is simply expression!’

Having left St. Vincent's, Aisling worked for people with Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neuron and stroke.  She was greatly inspired by the residents strength and attitude to life.  One day having asked a resident severely debilitated by M.S. how they coped, she received the answer, ‘I may see more of life than you’ll ever see’.  We wish away our days, running from one thing to the next.  Aisling’s paintings aim to root us to the spot, to appreciate a body that does our bidding or the subtleties of colour in the world around us. 

Aisling has now completed a BSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy with Middlesex University and will integrate art therapeutically with her clients.

Most of Aisling’s paintings are oil on canvas stretchers made using traditional handmade techniques.