Mary Burke & Kate Henderson, Opening Reception for Sanctuary of the Soul
Exhibition Dates: March 13 - April 13, 2025
Opening Reception: Sunday, March 23, 2025, 2-5pm w/ Live Irish music
Gallery Hours: Thursday-Sunday, 12-5pm, or by appt.
Address: Kehler Liddell Gallery, 873 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, CT 06515
Mary Burke ’s paintings serve as a language of the soul, fostering a quiet awareness in viewers and the world around them. My aim is to find strength and beauty in simplicity. In Burke's words, “My work mostly comes from the landscapes and coastal regions of Ireland. There is a raw beauty to the Irish landscape that touches me at a deep level; a mystical or spiritual experience emanating from my Celtic roots.” Burke views this rich emotional history to express the depth and tone she seeks to infuse her work.
Kate Henderson’s recent paintings and printmaking reflect on feminism, mysticism, and environment. Using a combination of gestural and contour lines, Henderson translates elements of the natural world into imagined passages. By weaving a journey through paths and portals, she paints out all that was and recreates what is. “To create the underlying structure of my paintings, I frequently start with my own drawings. Torn up and reassembled, they create an underlying narrative woven into my paintings. Such layering techniques assure the essence becomes embedded, serving as a reminder of past moments; a space for reflection where viewers can connect with their own experiences to wonder at the mysteries of life.”
Mary graduated with honors from Crawford College of Art and Design in Ireland, specializing in printmaking. She has attended Rhode Island School of Design, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, and Warehouse Studios, reveling in creating with watercolor and exhibiting internationally.
Henderson teaches art at Quinnipiac University, Creative Arts Workshop, as well as workshops throughout New England. She is an active member and former Director of Kehler Liddell Gallery and a Board member of the Hamden Art League. She received her BA/BFA degrees at Indiana University in art history and painting & printmaking, and her MFA at Yale University in painting & printmaking.