‘Hidden Abilities’ showcases art created by Irish Sign Language users from the Deaf Community in Louth. The artwork was produced in a series of art workshops facilitated by an ISL interpreter and AAEX (Art As Exchange), local artists who hold ‘place making’ in the centre of their collaborative, community engaged practice. This project is running since 2022 and is kindly supported by Creative Ireland and Droichead Arts Centre.
The exhibition opened on 30th August and ran to September 6th. Open Tuesday-Saturday 11-4pm.
The Project
Hidden Abilities is a diverse exploration of creative expression in the guise of performance, photography, drawing, design and sculptural 3D construction. Project themes include bodily relations to colour, space, signs and symbols, identity politics, cultural blindness, social anonymity and the theatrics of (in)visibility. Embracing freedom of expression for Deaf Community artists, the project aims to build alliances across the Deaf and Hearing Community, providing a platform to create and co-host this multi-lingual exhibit.
The project interweaves artistic musings, evocative memories and colourful reflections on continued desires to express and integrate Irish Sign Language into our shared space (here and beyond the gallery). Featured artworks create a space for playful transformation, experimentation and self expression – inviting you to feel welcomed, look, and consider Irish Sign Language.
Radio Interview
Listen to a Dundalk FM radio interview with lead artist and project coordinator Susan Farrelly.
Read the Audio Transcription
Impressions
Potos: Julie Corcoran
Biographies
Siobhan Anshaesi (b.1969) The last time Siobhan attended art class was in her post primary school. Siobhan enjoyed art classes in Drogheda. Using watercolour pencils, drawing on rocks, taking photos outside and printing photos. She found art very relaxing and it was enjoyable to learn new art things.
Johnny Corcoran (b.1976) a deaf artist and photographer from County Meath. He specialises in charcoal graphite pencil art with a bit of oil paint. His highly atmospheric pencil drawings expertly capture intense emotions, particularly focusing on the eyes as windows to the soul. Johnny’s mastery of light and shadow immerses viewers in a monochromatic fantasy world filled with quirky and nostalgic imagery. Through his art, he aims to express deep feelings that go beyond words and create a connection to his life story. Prints and Originals can be purchased on www.johnnycorcoranart.com
Julie Corcoran (b.1978) is a fine art, conceptual photographer originally from Dublin and living in Cavan for the past 25 years. She has exhibited her work in solo and group exhibitions, is represented by 3 galleries on the island of Ireland and has work in private collections both nationally and internationally.
Julie’s work is primarily focused on the theme of the heroine’s journey; the quest to unify both masculine and feminine creative energies. To relax she enjoys bodybuilding.
For more information on where to purchase Julie’s limited edition prints please visit her website www.juliecorcoranphotography.ie or follow her on Instagram @julie_corcoran
Brid Donoghue (b.1961) lives in Co. Louth. Brid really enjoyed the painting, sculpture and taking photos of the dog. She enjoyed making and chatting with new friends.
Susan Farrelly (b.1974) is a multi-disciplinary artist working over 30 years collaboratively in the community inquiring into engagement and accessible spaces. Abbey Art Studios is an award winning creative studio based in Ardee, Co. Louth. Farrelly studied Sculpture at NCAD graduating in 1996 with a 1st class Hons Degree and received an MFA with Distinction at the University of Creative Arts, UK (OCA) in 2021. She is the current chairperson of Art As Exchange (AAEX). For more info, project enquiries and commissions visit www.abbeyartstudios.com.
Leah Murray (b. 1997) is an Irish Sign Language/English interpreter. She studied in the Centre of Deaf Studies, Trinity College Dublin graduating in 2019. She works in areas relating to the Arts, Education, workplace/s and medical and social events requiring Irish Sign Language interpretation, ensuring equal access for all. Leah lives in Louth.
Michael Stafford (b.1975) Belfast, lives in Dundalk. Graduated from Sligo IT with BA Honours Degree in Fine Art in 2004 and Dun Laoghaire Institute IADT where he obtained a National Diploma in Fine Art. Michael works as a painter, but also creates art in other fields, such as print, sculpture, and more recently digital film and sound art. He has had several solo shows and actively contributes to many group exhibitions around Ireland. His work can be found in private and public collections dotted around the globe.
While attending art college Michael started to facilitate community-based art workshops and teach painting/drawing night classes, which he continues to do. Michael is an active member of Visual Artists Ireland (https://visualartists.ie/about) and a Creative Spark print-studio member (https://creativespark.ie/about-print-studio.html).
All works can be found at michaelstaffordartist.com
Ultan Wilson lives in Dublin. Ultan enjoys coming to art classes. He is interested in painting and doing crafts.
Special thanks to Angela Quinn and Sarah Mallon for their artistic contributions and everyone who attended the previous workshops in An Tain, Dundalk.
About AAEX
AAEX (Art as Exchange) is an open, all-inclusive group of visual artists, facilitated and supported by Creative Spark in Dundalk, coming together for the sake of making public art that is accessible, experiential, participative and/or free. In return, participating artists and their practice grow and develop through a mutually respectful and fair exchange of information, ideas and knowledge. AAEX inspires artists by providing a space to experiment, learn new skills and make art. As many of the artists are based in rural areas, lighthearted meet-ups provide a social outlet, knowledge of our work and greater sense of belonging to a larger community of artists. AAEX fosters active engagement in the development of art initiatives and events in the region.
AAEX (Art As Exchange) 