The National Botanic Gardens showcases the works of Irish and International artists in one of the most prestigious outdoor sculpture exhibitions in Ireland. 120 sculptures will be exhibited on this beautiful 50 acre site . One of my exhibits , Inherited Landscape, is located in the gallery above the visitors centre , and the other, Inherited Cloth – From Riches to Rags, is suspended from the high walkway in the Great Palm House.
Exhibition dates: 6th September – 19th October
Opening times: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm / Saturday & Sunday 10am – 6pm
Inherited Landscape – Atristic Statement:
Research into the Samé culture and history in the Northern hemisphere generally and my ancestral history specifically have given direction to my art in the past few years. The Samé people, living close to nature, have a strong symbolic language in terms of vibrant colours, costumes, traditions and myths. However it is a culture in transition with influences from many different directions both religious, political and economic. Only traces are sometimes left of the ancient traditions and the knowledge of nature so vital to a traditional Samé community.
Wax, as used in traditional candle making processes, is a natural and organic material, strong and at the same time lightweight. It’s high plasticity and tackiness was the ideal material for my study of the Samé cultural landscape.
The sculpture is my interpretation of layers of narrative, nature and colour symbolism. Colour, when added to the wax compound, to me, conveys meaning by association and takes on the function of metaphor.
Landscape is territory, claimed, contested and layered with human experience – Aidan Dunne , Visual art critic with The Irish Times
Inherited Cloth – From Riches to Rags – Artistic statement:
Cloth, either woven, felted or knitted, for me has references to comfort, protection and tradition. I grew up in a house where I took it for granted that much of my clothing — socks, stockings, coats, jumpers, scarves and hats – were knitted by my mother or other female members of my family. They also dressed the house using traditional craft skills, and it was a status symbol to be able to adorn the tables with hand made cloths, the windows with curtains and the floors with rugs, while it also created a warm, colourful and welcoming atmosphere. I inherited many of these cloths, curtains and materials and they inspired me to make From Riches to Rags endeavoring to retain their high symbolic value while using a traditional craft skill like knitting in the process. The cloth was torn into rags and knitted into a tubular shape (the symbol of protection) which trails off into a spiral(the symbol of the lifecycle) The colors conveys meaning by association (different narratives, nature and symbolisms) and takes on the function of metaphor.
Using these materials, techniques and concepts opens up for new impressions and interpretations and is blurring the boundaries between art and craft.