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Sculptor Maureen Siobhán Riley grew into the sporting life quite early, learning about gun dogs from her Granddad and about sculpture from his best friend, Walter Midener. The shooting sports - sporting clays, horses, scuba diving, archery and fishing have played a big part in her life from childhood to the present - these country pursuits being the stuff her art is made of.
Educated at Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan Riley chose sculpture as a medium in which to express her experiences and was soon exhibiting and selling her work at shooting events, the Safari Club, and international exhibitions in both Milan and Portofino, Italy. Her work has also been shown in Smithsonian Institute and she is a member of the Society of Animal Artists and National sculpture society.
"Since I have known Maureen Riley, she has shown a dedication to her sculpture which in itself is an inspiration. That, joined with her knowledge and ability to get to the core of her subjects, in my estimation, helps her art connect with the rest of us."
Robert K. Abbett
In her own words, "I have little interest in putting out slick shiny, pieces; rather, I let my energy be revealed in the surfaces. I am constantly inspired by the shapes and excitement of gun dogs, horses and hounds and even African wildlife - my urge in art then, is to put into bronze the grace and joy the out of doors and its creatures show me."
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"Maureen Siobhán Riley's engaging sculptures are realistically rendered and packed with literary expression. They are a superb balance of technical prowess and creative innovation," says Renée Phillips, director of Manhattan Arts International and New York art critic. In particular, "Selkie – Skye to Sea" captured the attention of jurors of the "HerStory" competition in NYC, NY and received a Manhattan Arts International award.
The artist has had exhibitions throughout the US and in Europe including a traveling Museum exhibition focusing on sporting art and art of the dog.
Her work is included in many private collections internationally.
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| Meeting Laura |
Maureen is particularly taken by the words of two of her most admired artists.
"O, young artist you search for a subject. Your subject is yourself, your emotions in the presence of nature"
-Eugene Delacroix
"...The artist, on the contrary, sees; that is to say, his eye, grafted on his heart, reads deeply into the bosom of nature"
-Auguste Rodin