The main theme in my work deals with domestic life, and the role individuals play in the home. Through my work I attempt to make sense and control what can at times be a frenzied day to day life of single motherhood, study, work, and domestic life.
Colours, subject matter, composition are all stripped down to their basic elements in these still life photographs, of everyday subjects found within the home. There is a calm feeling of ease and control, where the viewer is led to believe that this is a stable and positive family environment.
But there are underlying themes and issues within this work. As a single young mother, whose child has a disability, living in a country away from all family and friends, our home is often a scene of stress, mounting obligations, and unresolved issues. Why remind myself of what lies behind the camera, when I can create beautifully calm images that I have complete control over through my camera. These issues are never apparent to my daughter, who is a stunningly happy child, but more a battle within myself, to create this happy environment for her.
The main theme in my work deals with domestic life, and the role individuals play in the home. Through my work I attempt to make sense and control what can at times be a frenzied day to day life of single motherhood, study, work, and domestic life.
Colours, subject matter, composition are all stripped down to their basic elements in these still life photographs, of everyday subjects found within the home. There is a calm feeling of ease and control, where the viewer is led to believe that this is a stable and positive family environment.
But there are underlying themes and issues within this work. As a single young mother, whose child has a disability, living in a country away from all family and friends, our home is often a scene of stress, mounting obligations, and unresolved issues. Why remind myself of what lies behind the camera, when I can create beautifully calm images that I have complete control over through my camera. These issues are never apparent to my daughter, who is a stunningly happy child, but more a battle within myself, to create this happy environment for her.
Having acquired a diploma in fine art and an honours degree in Textile Design from Cluain Mhuire College of Art in Galway, Ireland, I allowed my passion of photography to direct me over to Brighton to take up further studies. I moved to the UK last year to pursue my postgraduate studies of photography in Central Saint Martins College of Art in London, and most recently the part-time MA in London College of Communication in Photography.
Since graduating from Cluain Mhuire Art College in 2005, my work has been exhibited internationally. Exhibitions include the Indiana University Art Gallery (USA),Novosibirsk State Art Museum (Russia), Galway Arts Centre, Video HM New York, Tulca Arts Festival 2005, Galway Film Fleadh, Praxis exhibition in Cork City of Culture 2005 and the Art scene Warehouse, Shanghai, China, and most recently at Strikethrough at the Trafalgar, Traqfalgar Square, London, and the St Martins Graduate show. Awarded the Bank of Ireland student of the year for my Degree work, I took up the position of artist in residence in Cluain Mhuire for the 2005/2006 academic year, where I completed the work entitled exhaust me. I had my first major solo show of Domestication in the Basement Gallery in Dundalk, Ireland, in August 2007, and will be exhibiting the same work in another solo show in Mullingar Arts Centre in March 2008.
