Visual artist, Daniel Chester, originally from Enniscrone and now living in Dromahair, at work.
Originally from Enniscrone, Co Sligo now living in Dromahair in Leitrim, artist Daniel Chester will be showcasing his first solo show in over six years at the Custom House Gallery, Westport, Co Mayo. The exhibition will be officially opened on Friday, January 23 at 6pm by Gallery Manager, Katriona Gillespie. The current body of work will consist of 17 paintings all newly produced over the past 12 months for this show. The title of the show “Thread Softly” looks at the ecology of the landscapes of Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo and Fermanagh.
Thread Softly is a solo exhibition of paintings by Daniel Chester, focusing on the ecology of the rural Irish landscape. In this body of work, Chester delicately captures the subtle interplay between land, water, and sky, revealing the hidden networks and quiet vitality of Ireland’s countryside. His brushwork and palette evoke both the resilience and fragility of native flora, shifting weather, and the ever-present traces of human touch.
Through his attentive observation, Chester invites viewers to consider the interconnectedness of all living things within these landscapes. “Thread Softly” becomes both a gentle admonition and an invitation: to look more closely, to tread with care, and to reflect on our relationship with the land that sustains us.
This exhibition offers a contemplative journey through fields, bogs, hedgerows, and meadows—spaces where art, ecology, and memory intertwine.
Daniel Chester is a visual artist living in County Leitrim. He obtained a Masters in Visual Arts Practices from IADT in 2009, previous to that he obtained a Degree in Fine Art from Sligo IT in 2001. Chester has exhibited throughout Ireland and abroad, with a number of recent solo and group shows such as “Beneath the Canopy” and ”Beyond the Stile” SolartGallery Dublin. “The Land is Ours” Luan Gallery, Athlone. Beyond the Plains Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon, “The Ethereal Space” Hamilton Gallery, Sligo. “Identity” Westival Westport Co Mayo, Seeing is believing, Solartgallery Dublin. Daniel’s work has been selected for the RUA awards ever year for the last four years. Daniel has been awarded a number of artist bursary awards from Leitrim Co Co, and artist bursary awards for the arts council. Daniel is currently the art teacher at Loughan House prison in Co Cavan.
Daniel’s work has been purchased by the OPW, Leitrim Co Co, Google Ireland, NHS, HSE, Sligo Co Co, ATU Sligo, Danske Bank and in numerous private collections throughout the world.