I use various techniques, materials, research, and approaches to process within my practice, dealing with themes of mental health, isolation, displacement, and local culture through the Irish language. I develop my ideas through research and use painting, craft, 3D and performance art to create short films. I regard film-making as a modern version of painting within my practice. 

 

During the lockdown, I asked Facebook friends to write a short statement of their experiences during COVID-19.  Since we were “cocooning” the film drew inspiration from the insect world. It shows how a safe, comfortable environment may turn toxic with time. Using macramé to create the cocoon which evolved into a hard crusty coffin using chicken wire and paper Mache, a sense of being enclosed and isolated develops.   The statements I gathered, both in English and Irish overlap, and begin with a poetic calmness that becomes anxious and frightening. Eangach means net in English which has many symbolic associations with lockdown. It can bring people together on the internet or become a trap that is impossible to escape from.

 

My recent film Is Muidhne is inspired by bird murmuration and pays homage to female Irish emigrants. I decided to link these women with Bridget using a distorted version of the cross made from material to create birds that migrate. By combining them with paintings and adding phrases from my poetry I aimed to create a film that conveyed these women’s anonymity and how their voices have not been heard over time.