Crosshaven Artist opens First Solo Exhibition in Edinburgh

By Tara Maher

Emerging portrait artist, Jenny Lawlor is carving out a place for herself in Scotland’s capital, blending her Irish roots with a growing artistic identity that recently culminated in her first solo exhibition.

Originally from Crosshaven, Jenny spent her entire childhood and early adulthood in the coastal village before relocating to Edinburgh. She is a past pupil of Scoil Bhríde and Coláiste Muire, and studied at the Crawford College of Art, Munster Technological University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art. Today, she balances her expanding art practice with a new academic pursuit. She is currently studying a MSc in Psychology at the University of Edinburgh.

Jenny Lawlor

Art has been a lifelong presence for Jenny. “I was a very creative kid,” she recalls. “Both sides of my family are artistic. My granny is an artist and my mum is an amazing artist who didn’t pursue it further. Creating art for her was a big motivation for me as a young teen.” Strong colours, cinematic characters and narrative-driven imagery shaped her early interests, leading first toward illustration before painting became her primary medium during her studies. The influence of artists like Jenny Saville continues to inspire her portrait-driven work.

Her move to Edinburgh came with its challenges, but also with unexpected rewards. Drawn to the city’s striking blend of nature, coastline and culture, she admits it took time to feel settled. “It didn’t entirely feel like home until I had found my community here,” she says. “Once I found my people, I felt right at home.”

While working at an art store in Edinburgh, she was given the opportunity to exhibit in the Cass Art Glasgow’s art space, and  began the series without knowing it was going to be a full blown exhibition. 

Gné, her first solo exhibition, was held at Cass Art Glasgow from the 11–22 November 2025. Titled with the Irish word Gné, that translates as  “aspect,” “feature,” “form,” or, in modern usage, “sex/gender”. The series explores human expression, particularly femininity. The collection features 18 portraits of women’s faces, stripped of backgrounds and hair to avoid influencing the viewer’s interpretation.

“One of my friends put it beautifully: ‘The viewer is left alone in silent conversation with the paintings,’” she says. Each portrait captures a distinct emotional state, inviting viewers to reflect on their own assumptions and internal responses. “Art speaks for itself. I am just the conduit,” she added.

One of the pieces that featured in the exhibition

Opening night was a deeply personal milestone for Jenny. She was joined by many of her friends from Edinburgh, with family members also travelling over from Cork. 

Looking ahead to 2026, the artist hopes to continue expanding her practice. “My goals are to keep creating more artwork, making more connections through art, and hopefully connecting with more people through my paintings,” she said. She is in the early stages of making her art into prints to make it more accessible for her audience. 

Jenny is active on TikTok, @jennylawlorart sharing tips for budding artists, and also posts regularly on her Instagram @jennylawlorart.