Sacred Heart Greenwich invites the community to an art exhibit featuring the work of Greenwich native and New York City artist Genevieve Irwin will be on display through April 5 in the McLaughlin Gallery, 1177 King St.
In this exhibit of monotypes, Irwin demonstrates how a true story can be woven into a children’s book that is designed to raise awareness about protecting the Amur tiger and other endangered animals.
An opening reception for the artist will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., in the art gallery. The public is invited to meet the artist and see her work. Irwin will be hosting several gallery talks. Please visit cshgreenwich.org for the dates.
The gallery will be open Mondays through Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gallery will be closed on Feb. 20 during the school’s observance of Presidents’ Day.
Irwin graduated from Sacred Heart Greenwich in the Class of 2008. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University. After Princeton, she studied at the Royal Drawing School in London. She has worked as an associate designer for Peter Pennoyer Architects in New York City, served as an artist-in-resident for the Uni Project in New York City, and illustrated books and albums for other writers and artists. Irwin is pursuing a master’s degree in illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. This exhibition is a glimpse into her thesis, which is a non-fiction children’s book she is both writing and illustrating. On display are a sampling of sketches, final illustrations and reference photographs.
The book is centered on the real life story of Zolushka, an Amur tiger from the Russian Far East. Amur tigers are one of the most endangered species on the earth, with less than 400 remaining in the wild. In the winter of 2013, two deer hunters found Zolushka half-frozen in the snow. The female tiger was only four months old at the time, and they assumed that poachers had killed her mother. She was raised by a local wildlife organization, returned to the wild, and ended up having cubs of her own. Irwin first learned about Zolushka when she attended a talk hosted by the Wildlife Conservation Society last year. She was touched by the dedication of the people who are working to protect the endangered tigers.
Irwin will be meeting with Sacred Heart students to help them explore the creative world of book illustration and apply it to their plans for improving the world.
