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Craigavon student ‘absolutely devastated’ as painting goes missing from exhibition

Do you know where this painting is now and can you help? It's part of a series depicting the effects of cancer and has great sentimental value for Riona who took three months to complete it

A County Armagh student has been left devastated after one of her paintings – which took her three months of painstaking work to complete – went missing from an exhibition in Belfast.

The Belfast School of Art BA Hons Fine Art class of 2021 exhibited their works in ‘Arts for All’ in Cityside Belfast between April 14 and 28.

The exhibition had been delayed due to the pandemic and was attended and supported by the Chancellor of Ulster University, the artist Dr Colin Davidson.

Riona Kearns, from Craigavon, was one of those exhibiting at the show.

But an oil painting on canvas by Riona, measuring 60cm X 42cm and entitled ‘Girl on a stool’, has gone missing from the exhibition and cannot be found.

It is not known exactly when the painting went missing although some other exhibitors thought it was still there on April 27.

Riona is naturally devastated and the family are appealing for help in the hope the missing painting can be found and returned.

Mum Cathriona told Armagh I: “The painting took Riona three months to complete and was part of a series of paintings undertaken by her on the effects of cancer.

“The missing painting reflects the often-devastating feeling of hair loss and changing body image that many cancer survivors experience resultant from cancer treatment.

“The painting has been shown in several exhibitions and given the great sentimental value attached to it she is absolutely devastated and is appealing for its return.”

If anyone can help, email us at info@armaghi.com – or comment under the story or via PM – and we will pass the information along.

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