€10,000 art project winners announced
The Artlinks programme has awarded €10,000 to three artists in the south-east, including two from Wexford, to work on a collaborative art project.
The successful artists are Clare Breen, a native of Bunclody based in Carlow; Laura Ní Flaibhín, from Gorey who recently completed an MA in Goldsmiths in London; and Mary Conroy from Kilkenny.
The aim of this new award is to encourage more collaboration between artists across the Artlinks counties of Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford and support them in seeking to expand their practice and networks regionally.
The ArtLinks Collaboration Award for 2020 received eleven applications from a total of 33 lead artists and collaborators across a range of artforms including film, theatre, drama and visual art.
The project proposed by
Clare Breen, Laura Ní Fhlaibhín and Mary Conroy is titled ‘Materials Matter’ – Ábhar Ábhar’ as Gaeilge and involves practical research by the artists in developing art materials and tools from natural and sustainable sources.
All three artists share an interest in sustainability and environmental awareness within the processes of their art production and they will share the findings of this research through a project website, which will include an Irish language translation.
The project draws on contemporary issues such as climate change and DIY cultures, with the project linking to the themes OF the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development.
One of the advisers on the project is Dr Irene Cadogan, Assistant Principal Officer at the Department of Climate Action and the Environment.
The new Collaboration Award was piloted earlier this year by Artlinks for professional and emerging artists who are members of the network.
It is supported by local authority arts offices in Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford through the Artlinks programme, which organises annual bursary and professional development initiatives for artists.
‘As we now move through these challenging uncertain times it is with great pleasure that we announce this award’, said an Artlinks spokesperson.