Waterford born artist, Chris O’Brien Shanahan, has worked in performance, installation, video and environmental art, ceramics and photography since completing her Diploma in Fine Art at Waterford Institute of Technology in 1985. In January 2010 Christine was confered with a MA in Arts & Heritage Management.
Artwork : Now working primarily in oil, with paintings and photographs in public, corporate and private collections nationally and abroad, the natural environment continues to be an integral element in her work, with themes of place and time recuring.
Collaborations: Christine regularly collaborates with husband and business partner soiund art / ambient electronic musician miXile.
Teaching and Arts Facilitation : Chris continues to facilitate creative workshops - in 2011 at local Secondary Schools as part of the 'Waterford City Council Transition Year Programme' and in 2009 at Waterford City Library as part of the Bealtaine Festival.
Chris worked as an art craft and design teacher both privately and in secondary schools. At times teaching pottery and running a photography club. In mid 1980s she worked as art tutor in a number of government sponsored community and co-operative development programmes, facilitating early school leaver programmes.
Art Therapy : Training in Reality Therapy (1989-91) developed an interest in art therapy. Chris taught painting classes in BrookHouse Psychiatric Day Care and with Brothers of Charity and attended the Crawford Art Therapy Summer School in 1997.
Business Owner : In 1992 she and Michael Shanahan founded Concept web design company, and where she is responsible for the creative and administrative aspects of the business. They have two children. Concept sponsor the annual Waterford Film Festival. Chris is a former National Vice-president of Network Ireland, the organisation for women in business, the professions and the arts, and former president of Network Waterford, 2003.
Cultural Heritage : As a member of the Save Viking Waterford Action Group, SVWAG, (committee pictured right with guest speaker Tim Severin) is involved in the campaign to protect and excavate the Iron Age, Early Christian, Viking settlement found at Woodstown on the banks of the River Suir in 2003, www.vikingwaterford.com.
The route of the N25 was subsequently moved and the campaign for a full excavation of the site continues.
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