A Shore Thing

Aga Grandowicz, standing, by the wall… 18SEPT20

ike so many other young girls, Aga Grandowicz grew up wanting to be an ichthyologist.

Which, as any fule knows, is the study of various species of fish classified as bony, cartilaginous or jawless.

It’s what Aga was all set to go to college and study when she suddenly shifted courses. To become a graphic designer.

“Yeah, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense when I think about it,” laughs the Polish artist when we caught up with her this afternoon at Greystones’ Park & Ride. “Plainly though, I never lost that passion for marine studies, because I’ve managed to combine that graphic design training with my love for fish, and birds, and all sorts of creatures. So, it all worked out in the end…”

The reason Aga is in town is to paint a giant mural of sea creatures down at the Park & Ride, a commission that came as part for Culture Night, but will take the bulk of a week to be completed. Having started on Tuesday, Aga hopes to be done by the end of next week.

Our blinky washing machine weather permitting, of course.

“It’s been perfect weather so far for painting. I just need two more days like this, and it should be done. If there are any kids, or adults, who want to come down and learn a little bit more about the wonderful creatures just swimming off the shore along Greystones, I’m here…”

With her rather wonderful 2018 collaboration with author Rob Maguire, Dr Hibernia Finch’s Compelling Compendium Of Irish Animals, sitting pretty – and signed – in Trish Hennessy’s Halfway Up The Stairs bookshop just five minutes away, and her prints and illustration work keeping the lights on, Aga knows that she’s found her perfect job.

“If the 10-year-old me could have known that all that passion would not only remain but become a career,” says Aga, “I think the ensuing smile could light up the night. I’m very, very lucky…”

You can catch Aga Grandowicz at work Friday, Monday and beyond (once it’s not raining, of course). In the meantime, we have a chinwag about seals, deals, and keeping it real…

You can check out Aga Grandowicz’s website here, grab her groovy book here, and follow her on Instagram here, Facebook here, and Twitter here. And jump forward three years here.