Mary Donnelly
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Born in Gozo, Malta, Mary Donelly’s practice is an ongoing investigation into compositional structure and the quiet inner dialogue that emerges within an artwork. With formal studies beginning in 1994, she completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts before culminating in a Master’s degree in 2008.
Her work explores the aesthetic and formal qualities that arise through the process of making, with a particular focus on understated beauty. Simple, often overlooked objects and everyday arrangements become sites of close observation, revealing subtle relationships of form, balance, and presence. These modest collections, easily missed in daily life, are elevated through careful attention and considered composition.
More recently, a shift has emerged within her practice. Winters can feel stripped of colour, and after returning from an overseas trip in July, surrounded by warmth and vibrancy, Donelly felt compelled to reintroduce colour into both her studio environment and her work. Intensely warm hues now evoke hot, balmy, carefree days. Hot pinks and oranges take centre stage, supported by complementary tones of soft mint green, turquoise, lime, and mauve.
As her practice continues to evolve, Donelly’s enduring aim remains the same: to simplify, to create harmony, and to establish a sense of balance and order. Through this process, her work seeks to engage the viewer with a calm yet dynamic visual experience that is both pleasing and quietly resonant.
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Mary Donnelly, Pink Spoon, Pears and Garlic, 2021, polymer acrylic, charcoal and collage on board, 39.5x45cm. The Corner Store Gallery.