Biography
Syra studied Art at Hammersmith College of Art London and qualified with merit in 1972. In 1977 Syra together with her husband Irish Luthier Chris Larkin (RIP 2018) moved to a small windswept peninsula known as The Maharees on the West Coast of Ireland . Where they lived, worked, encouraged and inspired one another daily.
Syra lived and worked for many years in a caravan and today works from a purpose built studio known as Shoreline Studio, where despite the remote location she has managed to develop her career as a professional artist. Taking part in many of the major open submission exhibitions in Ireland and London. She has had work in both solo and group exhibitions in Ireland, America, Spain, Italy, Belgium, France, and England. Syra’s work was selected for the Inaugural Kerry Visual Artist Showcase in 2015. Sponsored by Kerry County Council in support of The Arts, Syra Larkin's art is found in both private and corporate collections.
Syra’s work is mainly figurative in style and she would use these word to describe her work: figurative, emotional, poetic, symbolic, mercurial, narrative, eclectic.
“ As an artist it’s important not to allow yourself to be tied up into a neat package which can be easily understood, as like most things in life it is not easy to explain or understand the things we create. I do not want to feel the restrictions of a pattern or a particular style - If I want to run I will, if I want to do a summersault I will. I feel my work is a genuine response to my personal existence.
Waking in the morning and painting whatever the day might bring !"