Pictures by Jenny Callanan
Sticks, Stones & Bones Launches at Highlanes
A new solo exhibition by artist Breda Marron
Highlanes Gallery was busy on Saturday afternoon as a large crowd gathered for the opening of Sticks, Stones & Bones by Breda Marron. The event included an in-conversation with Gallery Director Aoife Ruane and marked Marron’s first solo exhibition in more than a decade, an occasion that many had been eagerly anticipating.
The Upper Gallery has been transformed by a series of works that respond closely to the space. Using natural materials, particularly willow, Marron has created a sculptural installation in three parts. This sits alongside a collection of delicate works on paper. The exhibition has grown out of walking, gathering, and close observation of nature, and that slow, attentive process is evident throughout.
During the artist talk, Marron spoke about her long-standing interest in the relationship between people and the natural world. She explained how traces of time, movement, and memory are carried in the landscape and described how her work developed through drawing, mark-making, and experimenting with materials. A residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre helped shape the project, with additional support from Meath County Council Arts Office and Creative Ireland.
Gallery Director Aoife Ruane guided the conversation with a thoughtful approach, highlighting the ideas behind the work in a clear and accessible way. The audience included artists, local supporters of the gallery, and first-time visitors, all of whom listened attentively and stayed afterwards to explore the exhibition and continue the discussion.
There was a warm and generous atmosphere in the gallery. Many commented on how the work encourages viewers to slow down and look more closely, not just at the materials on display, but at the natural world beyond the gallery walls. For Highlanes, it was a strong and confident start to the year. For Breda Marron, it marked a welcome and well-deserved return to a solo gallery setting.
Sticks, Stones & Bones continues at Highlanes Gallery, Laurence Street, Drogheda until Saturday, 7 March 2026. Admission is free.
