Shauna McGowan is an award winning artist, screen printer, art facilitator and printed leather designer based in Ireland. She studied Fashion and Textile design and specializes in screen-printing. Her background enables her to illuminate diverse surfaces with her strong graphic drawing skills. Her signature pieces are unique screen prints on leather. She has also studied surface design for leather at the London College of Fashion. Shauna was awarded 1st RDS National Craft Awards (Emerging Leatherwork Category) in both 2015 & 2016.In 2014 she was awarded ‘Talent Spot Belfast’ winner by International Fashion Brand Warehouse.
Shauna’s work explores mythological narratives. Personal grief led to the realization that when we pass, we too become myths. Shauna is fascinated by personal histories and the search for permanence in a transient world. Her work examines life, death and grief through a vibrant use of colour and imagery on tactile surfaces. She considers the preservation of mythology to be of fundamental importance; in this rapidly evolving digital world myths and mystery are being eliminated from our lives.
Shauna’s work has been exhibited extensively throughout Ireland, China, Finland, and Brussels, Arizona and in New Zealand at the Art at Wharepuke Gallery. She has been awarded residencies at The Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Cill Rialaig, County Kerry and Ballinglen Arts Foundation, County Mayo.Shauna was also Artist in Residence at Seacourt-The Centre for Contemporary Printmaking as a participant on the Craft NI ‘Making It’ Programme from 2013-2015.