Deirdre McSharry
A life in print
Recent Work
Guest-curator of the “Blue and White” exhibition at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath, inspired by the blue and white transferware collection of Tom Hickman and his father. Three major contemporary artists - Kaffe Fassett (textiles, knitting, paintings, pottery), Candace Bahouth (mosaic, needlepoint and shard sculpture), and Carole Waller (paintings on silk, sculpture and clothes ) have responded to this most English of traditions. The show is a riot of pattern and the listed building, upstairs and down, has been transformed with pride of place given to the enormous dresser displaying highlights from the Hickman collection.
The Blue and White Exhibition ran during Spring 2008.
Deirdre’s comment on the exhibition;
“One of the most eye catching elements in the new show are Candace Bahouth’s surreal high heel ‘Prada’ shoes embellished with blue and white pottery shards, tiny fragments of Spode's Italian Gardens, Willow Pattern etc - a tapestry of English life - with lots of reference to display, style and fashion. And all from fragments found at the bottom of a country garden.”
A Biography
Deirdre McSharry, born in London of Irish parents and raised and educated in in Dublin: at the Dominican Convent and Trinity College, Dublin University. Left without a degree to work in the theatre as an actress: Pike Theatre, Gate Theatre with both Lord Longford's company and Hilton Edwards and Michael McLiammoir, with the latter touring Ireland, Malta and Cairo. While on tour began writing for Irish newspapers including THE IRISH TIMES, THE IRISH PRESS and THE NEW YORK HERALD TRIBUNE.
Went to New York in the Fifties and worked briefly in the book shop of THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM. Joined WOMEN'S WEAR DAILY, the fashion newspaper., as a reporter.
Came to London as fashion writer for WOMAN'S OWN. By age 30 she was woman's editor of THE DAILY EXPRESS, discovering Twiggy ,and creating the first daily newspaper pages in colour. Later joined THE SUN, re-launched by Rupert Murdoch. Was part of the launch team of COSMOPOLITAN as fashion editor, then editor in chief for over thirteen years , making it the most successful monthly magazine for women in the UK (Now in over 34 editions round the world) Launched COUNTRY LIVING as a monthly magazine.
Was first editor to win the PPA award as editor of the year in the late 1980s. Won awards for magazine of the year twice. In l990 won the MARK BOXER AWARD for lifetime achievement in magazine journalism.
Moved to Bath and became a Councillor of THE AMERICAN MUSEUM in Bath and for over a decade curated exhibitions and was made Chairman of the Friends. Became a Trustee of that museum.
Currently guest-curating THE BLUE AND WHITE SHOW at the VICTORIA ART GALLERY, Bath. Writes and gives talks on costume and fashion. Member of THE COSTUME SOCIETY.