Amira McDonagh is an Irish visual artist working across 2D and 3D processes, including drawing, painting, printmaking and written word.

Her main interest is in recording the evolving landscape of life, drawing on her own experiences of living with chronic pain, loss and grief. Making is for her a cathartic act.

Her work is layered in complexity; the works are often made after long periods of contemplation about the next marks, and then in short bursts of physical making. In the last few years her biggest influence has come from reading 'The Body Keeps The Score' by Bessel van der Kolk.
The recurrence of the symbolic circle form in her work represents the constant weight of grief carried through life, as described and depicted in Lois Tonkin’s Theory of Grief.

In 2026, Amira will present a solo show titled 'Chronic' where she will present a new installation work which explores the daily challenges chronic pain poses to her in making work. The artist hopes this work will shine a light on those living with chronic pain and will begin conversations around disability awareness, the links between art and health and on this under-represented community of artists.