Featured Artist – Alessandra Pollicini and her Dublin Canvas Project

Alessandra Pollicini

Alessandra is an artist and illustrator based in Balbriggan. She has been drawing life-inspired quirky characters since she was a child. Her first ‘canvas’ was the back of a tabulating card her dad brought home from work. Alessandra’s biggest wish for her art, is to make people smile.

Alessandra was recently chosen for a community art project, Dublin Canvas. The intention being to bring colour and creativity to everyday objects and public spaces in Dublin. Alessandra did just that! Given an electricity box on Drogheada Street, Alessandra then got to work on bringing to life the plan she had which captures the spirit of the town she has called her home for the last twenty years.

Commenting on her plan for the artwork and her experience during the project, Alessandra said “I wanted to pay homage to my adoptive town of Balbriggan, the youngest town in Ireland, with its many cultures and historic landmarks – as well as give tribute to the photobombing seagull of the artist who painted the same box before me. Let’s say it’s a fun and playful take on Google Maps, distinctively Balbriggan and distinctively me.

Once the emotion of being selected was over, stage fright set in. I’m used to working on a small scale, in the quiet of my studio at Ardgillan, surrounded by trees and roses. How do I even begin to turn an A4 size watercolour artwork into something to be painted on a big metal box, on the busiest street in Balbriggan, right onto the footpath, in plain sight and only a few steps away from passing traffic? Initially I wanted to go paint at 6am, so that the least amount of people could see me. But I am not a morning person, so I had to settle for any other time of day. In the end, this turned out to be the best part of the experience. I got to engage with so many people and chat with local neighbours who came out to check my daily progress. I was overwhelmed with the lovely feedback from so many people, included those in passing cars. It will make me feel proud for a very long time. And I can safely say my stage fright is cured.”

Since May 2024, Alessandra is working full time as artist and illustrator based at the Gardener’s Cottage, Ardgillan Castle and her work is available as a combination of originals, prints and cards. She also takes a limited number of commissions for bespoke illustrations throughout the year. Alessandra’s artworks and designs are also stocked in the Ardgillan Castle craft shop!

Check out her “Making of the box” reel here.

To find out more about Dublin Canvas click here.