Creative Reflections on 2020 Exhibition Launches at Enniskillen Castle Museums

A new exhibition, entitled ‘Creative Reflections on 2020’, has launched at Enniskillen Castle Museums and includes sculptures and photography by Cheryl Brown, Philip Lauterbach and Anthony Scott and their interpretations of the covid-19 lockdown in 2020. The exhibition also includes photography of Enniskillen during the lockdown by photographer and commentator, Frank Britton, and a collection of drawings by NHS Staff.

Launching on Saturday 23rd March 2024, nearly four years from the day of the Covid-19 lockdown (20th March 2020), the new exhibition showcases how three artists responded to the lockdown and used the enforced time of self-reflection to inspire their creativity.

On display until 23 June 2024 are sculptures by well-known artists Cheryl Brown and Fermanagh native, Anthony Scott, and photography by Phillip Lauterbach. The exhibition is complemented by local photographer and commentator, Frank Britton, who brings a local perspective to the display. Also included within the exhibition is an interactive piece collated by Heidi Edmundson representing a collection of drawings by NHS Staff at her hospital conveying how they responded to the pandemic.

Commenting during the launch of the exhibition, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Cllr Thomas O’Reilly, said,

“The lockdown period unfortunately had a negative impact on many, however, it also created opportunities for people to spend time together, pursue new interests or develop existing ones, and to reflect and be inspired in a creative way.

Although each of the pieces are individual in their own right, they are all synonymous as they depict a story about a moment in history that we all shared. This is important to ensure that these moments are preserved for future generations to learn about.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to promoting the arts and ensuring it is accessible to all. I am delighted that we have venues, such as Enniskillen Castle Museums, to host exhibitions by locals and visitors alike to help us achieve this and ensure that as many people as possible can experience the arts locally.

I would like to commend each of the artists and contributors to the exhibition and thank you for capturing this moment in our lifetime so creatively and poignantly.”

Commenting on the collaboration, artist, Cheryl Brown, said,

“We are delighted to work in collaboration with Enniskillen Castle Museums on this exciting exhibition and to reflect on a moment in history we all shared.

Lockdown during the covid-19 pandemic was a difficult time. Creativity provided a vital outlet. The exhibition shows three very different artists interpretations of that time.

My art project was my way of creating a visual community of voices when we were told we had to stay at home. I would like to thank my daughter, family, friends, local school children and NHS staff who participated. It’s wonderful to finally showcase their drawings from 2020.”

Enjoy ‘Creative Reflections on 2020’ until 23 June 2024, normal admission rates apply.

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Notes to editors:

Philip Lauterbach
Philip is regarded as one of the UK and Ireland’s most experienced interior architectural and advertising photographers, with one hundred & twenty-four magazine covers to his name in a career that has spanned over two decades.

His photographs appear in publications across the world and can regularly be seen in magazines such as Grand Designs, Journals, 25 Beautiful Homes, Ideal Homes, Irish Homes and Interiors & House and Home.

As a fine art photographer Phil has a style described as having ‘warmth & rhythm’. How man defines and influences the environment is a recurring theme in Philip’s record of the Irish landscape.

Anthony Scott
Born in rural Fermanagh, Anthony Scott attended university in Belfast receiving a First Class BA Honours and completed his education with an MA in Cardiff, 1993. Scott now works in Blacklion, Co. Cavan, just across the border from Belcoo in Co. Fermanagh where he was brought up. He is primarily known for his beautifully stylised bronze animals, traditional in form, but with a modern twist. His animals and figures draw upon Celtic mythology and literature, their expressive stances are imbued with characteristics invoking passion and heroism. They are each open to interpretation and at once animal, divine, spirit, male, female depending on which story one might choose to recount. What Picasso would call ‘sacred magic’.

Scott is a member of the Royal Ulster Academy and a regular participant at the Royal Hibernian Academy. He has exhibited extensively in Ireland and the UK and at numerous international art fairs. In May 2011 he had the great honour of creating a sculpture ‘See the Stars’ for the National Stud in Kildare, unveiled by HM Queen Elizabeth II, to commemorate her first visit to Ireland. His work is also included in the National gallery of Ireland, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Crafts Council of Ireland, the US ambassador’s residence in Phoenix Park, Kelly’s Hotel Rosslare and in numerous private collections. He has recently completed projects for Johnny Depp and Coolmore stud in Tipperary.

Cheryl Brown
Born in Coleraine, N. Ireland, Brown graduated from the University of Ulster with a B.A Hons in Fine Craft Design.

Influenced by cave painting and early primitive art; Brown works by first creating drawings on which she bases her sculpture, using wax and materials such as cloth and twigs to create texture before the works are cast in bronze.

Brown has exhibited widely in the UK and Ireland with works included in both public and private collections such as the State Art Collection, Dublin Airport Authority, Coleraine Hospital and Chapter One restaurant, Dublin. She has twice received the best sculpture award at the Royal Ulster Academy.