Born in Antwerp Belgium, Mieke Vanmechelen lived in the polders of Flanders until the age of six and then moved to Ireland with her family in 1981.
Mieke grew up on a mountain farm on the Beara Peninsula, County Kerry, surrounded by the magical and mystical landscape which resonates through her work. Her mother’s connection with the Royal Academy of Fine Art in Antwerp and the KNS, National Theatre of Belgium, encouraged her artistic talents from an early age.

Mieke graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 1996 with a BA in Philosophy and Classical Civilization and later went on to study for a BSc with the University of Wales Cardiff.
As well as being a full time painter Mieke is also a farmer and member of the Kerry Cattle Breeders association, based in Killarney. She grazes her Kerry herd on her farm which is a registered nature reserve (Special Area of Conservation).

The contact and connection Mieke has with the land and the elements is of prime importance to her as an inexhaustible source of inspiration. She also feels an inherent affinity for the great Renaissance Masters and her work has been embraced especially in Italy, following her exhibition at the Biennale Internationale dell’Arte Contemporanea.

Mieke has exhibited extensively and continues to exhibit her work both at home in Ireland and also internationally, this year she will be exhibiting in galleries in Venice, Florence and New York with the final show for 2008, “Another place, another time”, taking place in the Office of Public Works Dublin.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My new work is very much concerned with the Universe and the place of humanity within it. My paintings are really a constant voyage in space and time. I travel stepping stones up and down and explore places and ideas which are concerned with existence on a deeper level, where time seems to stand still and life is simpler and more contemplative yet deeper and more meaningful.

My inspiration comes from everything around me, both my immediate environment here in Kerry and also the cosmos, the elements, earth, air and water, people and places.
My latest series is inspired by a dream like place which is part of this dreamlike world.

Artist's Work