To keep updated for the exhibition / follow them on instagram @elements_exhibition_mtu 

 ​ 

About the Artists

Megan Fahy

Tomorrow , The Birds Will Sing

“Where there are birds, there is hope.” ― Mehmet Murat Ildan.

Spirituality has always been a big part of my life and I believe that birds can be the physical manifestation of these spirits who have helped me a great deal through some difficult times. They are beautiful, smart, loyal and above all they are free.

I hope to capture the beautiful, never-ending colours found in birds from all different parts of the world through my work. I take my inspiration from their wings which have some of the most amazing colours seen in nature. I used the Nerikomi technique to achieve the colours and patterns. Wings are strong and durable but also have fluidity and delicacy, similar to the qualities found in porcelain. Although it is never going to be possible to do these marvellous creatures justice, I would like to pay tribute to them.

Lil Quinn

I have created a range of work in response to my deep interest in nature and the environment. I have primarily used organic materials and textiles. In addition to the visual inspiration influenced by nature, I aim to create work that has little or no impact on the planet. Research for this work has looked at sourcing materials with alternative and sustainable methods.

On this occasion grass has been grown with its roots manipulated to grow on a patterned base. Particular attention has been paid to the intricate details of the grass roots that have arisen from a totally organic process. Images from this process have enabled a series of pieces to be made with fiber, textiles and glass.

Anna McGrath

My research explores Irish woodlands, now endangered by climate change and how important it is to protect them.

I focused on lichens, a less noticeable organism that plays a significant role in woodlands. From an ecological and biological perspective, I investigate their function and characteristics, along with the major human threats to their environment, such as deforestation. This led me to my experimentation with man-made materials.

In my final work, the striking contrast between the harsh, rusty surface of the man-made tools with the vibrant, natural organisms alludes to the destructive impact human behaviour can have on the environment. Perhaps Climate Change will reach a stage where these two opposites will be forced together as a means of nature’s survival…

Rebecca Bradley-Young

Presently Present

When we allow ourselves an opportunity to stop, our senses come alive.  We notice things not usually seen- for it is in these moments we see the intricate patterns nature lays before us, we hear the flow of water nearby, the birds singing in the trees and the wind dancing through the leaves, all waiting for us to be inspired.  Nature is its very own artist, all we have to do is stop, listen and see. 

The organic patterns found throughout nature are reflected in my works, through a series of abstract markings that help narrate a sense of wonder.  The emotions attached to these moments hold an important role in the creating of the marks on the material of choice.

Hannah-Maria Morrison-Poulter

Drawing inspiration from the rich history and haunting beauty of Kilcrea Friary and House, my textile art serves as a visual homage to the atmospheric essence of this sacred place. Through intricate stitching, layered textures, and a thoughtful selection of materials, I aim to capture the ethereal quality and timeless allure that permeate the ancient walls of Kilcrea Friary and House. With every piece, I invite the viewer to immerse themselves in a tactile journey through history, nature, and the intangible realm of the unseen.

Orla O’Leary 
 

My work is centred around two brothers pasty and Ger who used to live in their house at the top of the road 
In my work I explore themes of religion, sexuality, rural Ireland and the home, as I’ve photographed the house, learning about their life and what still remained there and how time seemed to stop upon enter 

My work is dedicated to their story, looking at the house and how time has weathered it and passed around it yet so much of their life together is still frozen there as if they’ve never left.

Dee Cafferkey

Exploring the theme of Gathering I investigate my connection to where I live and to the people who lived here before me. I consider family, farming, place and heritage as important aspects of this theme, each connected to each other by various forms of gathering.

Through photography, drawing, print and stitch, I question and document the idea of gathering relevant to my own life; Collecting stories, amassing scraps of fabric, saving turf and keeping old or sentimental items.

Selected cotton fabrics, from a wide array of textiles collected by my mother over many years, were dyed with colours I observed on our family farm. The concept of gathering is further developed by printing onto these fabrics with images of the farm and various farming implements collected by my father over many years. I use stitching and thread to depict scenes from a collection of my grandmother’s stories.

Julia Dlugosz 

My body of work has been profoundly influenced by Ancient Greek ceramics. The use of imagery to tell stories is what inspired me to develop this series. My aim is to produce a body of work that is fresh and contemporary while retaining the antiquity that Ancient Greek ceramic possess. 

I wanted to tell my own story through the use of imagery, mostly highlighting the memorable events from my life. What I’ve discovered along the way is that I wasn’t able to tell my story without including the people I cherish most. 

What fascinated me is that a different version of you exists in everyone else’s mind, so I began asking myself who am I to others? Where do I belong in their stories? Because at the end of the day I’m more than just me, I’m also a sister, a friend, a daughter..

This led me to using personal messages written to me by people I love most to get an insight as to who I may be to them.

Family can be many things, for me they are my peace and my chaos and I  wouldn’t be who I am today without them.

Sian Foley

In my art practice I confront the feelings of destruction and the difficult journey of healing after experiencing sexual assault. Each piece I create expresses pain, strength and the ability to overcome.

Working with textiles with its feminist legacy helps me feel connected to the women who came before me. I choose to work with ceramics due to its skin like quality. I deconstruct and reconstruct the pieces I make using found objects as well as bold text, to symbolise the intricate process of reclaiming one’s body and identity after trauma. I want my art to serve as a sanctum, offering a safe space for survivors to feel seen. I draw from my own experiences of reclaiming myself after assault in hopes to ignite a similar experience for others. I want to initiate vital dialogues with my work and amplify the voices and experiences of survivors to challenge and counteract harmful stereotypes and stigmas.