A new must sea exhibition
By Daniel O'Neill
A new exhibition opening this weekend will celebrate the creativity of the seven West Cork islands.
The ‘Sea and Stone’ exhibition will contain works from the Creative Places West Cork Islands project as well as painted plaques, knots and ropes, Irish knitting, leatherwork, books, paintings and films.
Throughout its three-year period the Creative Places West Cork Islands initiative has been funded by the Arts Council and Cork County Council and has aimed to create opportunities for artists and to build sustained arts investment across the islands of Cape Clear, Sherkin Island, Heir Island, Long Island, Whiddy island, Bere island and Dursey island. It gives the outside world a chance to see life through the islander's perspective and to appreciate the art they have to offer.
The exhibition title ‘Sea and Stone’ is borrowed from the islands’ cultural newspaper published as part of the ongoing project. The exhibition will contain a various display of talent such as the Carrick Bend Knot created by locals on the Sherkin and Heir Islands after being taught by Nigel Towse, and William Bock’s Sugán Rope where islanders created the rope using green plants taken from the area.
Books such as ‘My Townland, My Story’, a tale about the stories of the West Cork Islands from the perspectives of children will also be on display. The book takes inspiration from ‘The Schools’ Collection’ which harnessed the folklore and local tradition of home dating back to 1937.
Nigel Towse and John Simson will present their painted plaques for the first time together. These plaques have been awarded at the Baltimore Wooden Boat Festival each year since its inception, and now make their way to the ‘Sea and Stone’ exhibition.
Mayor of County Cork Cllr Joe Carroll said: “Cork County Council is delighted to present ‘Sea and Stone’ at our dedicated visual arts space LHQ Gallery. Creative Places West Cork Islands is a placemaking initiative that leverages the arts to bring island communities together. We are very proud of the results of this three-year initiative and look forward to launching this unique exhibition.”
The exhibition opens on 22 March at 2pm and runs until 25 April. It will be held in the LHQ Gallery at Cork County Council Library Building, Carrigrohane Road, which is open from 9am- 5.30pm from Monday to Friday, except on bank holidays.