Sadhbh O Neill is an Irish artist and sculptor living in Mountshannon with her husband and fellow artist Sam Gaine, where together they have created a sanctuary that deeply informs her work. Originally trained in textile design at National College of Art and Design and later awarded a Masters from Manchester Polytechnic, she has worked internationally as a textile artist, lecturer, artist-in-residence, and public artist. Over a long and varied career, she has completed numerous public commissions throughout Ireland and exhibited widely in solo and group exhibitions. Since moving to Mountshannon in 1998, her art practice has evolved into richly textured sculptural and mosaic work.

Sadhbh describes her work:

"Beauty and joy are at the heart of my work. They are the emotions that inspire me to create. My sculptures call to me from my intuition, often from a dream, almost as if I have no say in their manifestation. My sculptures are a juxtaposition of contrasting media, textures, patterns, and colours. My mosaic work takes time and is meditative and slow – each tile is chosen, cut, and then placed, creating patterns of depth and richness.

Every sculpture I create is a story that arises as part of my lived experience, filtered through my fantasy and imagination. Thus, every sculpture carries a part of me.

This sculpture “Flying with the Fishes” is part of a series “The Mermaid's Garden”.  I have been swimming in the lake every day for many years, and it has become an anchor in my life. The lake and all its stories, folklore, and dreams have become an integral part of me. The Mermaid's Garden evolved from stories and events in my life and inspired by the lake"

https://www.patreon.com/samandsadhbh