An Update from the Studio
Nearly 6 months into my residency at The Baths Studios in Dún Laoghaire
Dear Reader,
A cloudy but warm day here at The Baths Studios, the sea outside my window. I am just at the halfway point of my residency with Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Arts Office, in the redevelopment of the former sea baths into artist studios (and a gorgeous cafe upstairs). I am based in this beautiful studio as part of my residency and public art commission which will run until early 2025, making new work and hosting events. I am making work under the banner of my working title “Safe Harbour”, looking at the topography of the area, and how quarrying and displacement of stone from Dalkey down to the harbour in Dún Laoghaire to create a safe harbour for ships. This asylum harbour, as it was briefly know, has been operational for nearly 200 years now. I am looking at the shapes of these spaces, the feeling of safety, and the embrace of the harbour walls. The work primarily is taking shape as sculptures, but there is a backdrop of photography along the way.
In March I stayed at the Leitrim Sculpture Centre, and with the assistance and knowledge of Dave, built a partial maquette of a larger sculpture that will be exhibited in November. Working in wood, and working with my hands intensely for two weeks, such a welcome change from sitting at a computer making plans. I am excited about the direction the work is taking, and I am taking full advantage of having a 40m2 studio while I have it.
Open Studio
I will be having an open studio on Sunday May 26th from 12-2pm. All are welcome, for a chat, a look around, or an excuse for a coffee from the guys upstairs in Happy Out X Together Academy (look up the work they are doing, it’s brilliant, The Together Academy is a social enterprise that provides young adults with Down syndrome training, practical work experience, employment).
If you’re not around for the open studio day, reach out, I am more than happy to show people around and have a conversation about the commission and the associated workshops and shows.
Photo Summer Camp at Photo Museum Ireland
I am very excited to let you all know that I will be facilitating a photography summer camp for teenagers at Photo Museum Ireland in Temple Bar, 4th June – 8th June (Tuesday to Saturday). If you have any young people aged between 14-17 in your life, pass it on, we have just 3 places left! It will be a mix of digital and analogue, formal and experimental, 2D zines and 3D sculptures, all working towards presenting their work in the PMI Project Space and making a small collaborative publication.
A Few Bits and Pieces
And now, a few bits and pieces I think are worth sharing:
If you are Ireland based and have an interest in art and experiences for and with young people, there are two events happening on Friday 17th of May. In Cork, as part of STAMP Festival, there is a talk and discussion “Creating for Early Years Audiences” with Jane Hayes, Chris Finnegan, and Rachel Doolin. The event takes place in Triskel Arts Centre, and if I wasn’t already working I would be there! Free tickets on Eventbrite here. Meanwhile in Dublin, also Friday, we have a seminar called “Growing Together: Building Better Cities for Early Years” which is a part of the International Literature Festival Dublin. Organised by Dublin City Council, the sessions will explore practical and creative ways we can work together to make Dublin a better city for toddlers and their caregivers. Free, but booking is required.
Graduate Exhibition season! Always worth an exhibition crawl to see the works by the emerging artists stepping into the world this year. TUD and IADT Grad shows open on the 30th of May, Griffith College on 6th of June, and NCAD on the 7th of June.
I was lucky enough to get to go on a tour of Dun Laoghaire Harbour, the coastline and Bay and Killiney Bay with the great lands from Goat Boat Tours. They run tours out of the marina that will show you a different view of the bay, stories you will definitely not have heard before, and see some marine life along the way. Highly recommend a trip out, especially as the weather is getting better!
I have finally learnt how to spell ‘Dún Laoghaire’ without needing to check it.
Benedetta Casagrande’s beautiful photobook “All Things Laid Dormant” has finally been published and you should all buy it: SkinnerBooks
Congratulations to the students and staff involved with the Trinity BDS. Trinity College Dublin has agreed to work towards the protestors demands including a complete divestment from Israeli institutions and the end of Trinity’s partnerships with Israeli universities. Direct action work. Keep up the pressure. Support the students. All eyes on Rafah. Free Palestine.
Until next time,
Róisín x