An Artist in Residency Exhibition by Anna Macleod
Opening Reception: Friday 21st August at 5-7pm
Exhibition opens until Thursday 3rd September at Leitrim Sculpture Centre, Manorhamilton
Photo: Anna Macleod
A State of Land takes the 1840's & 1850's Geological Survey of Ireland as a starting point to explore historical and contemporary attitudes to rural landscapes in a time of climate change uncertainty. The GSI field sheets were mapped during one of the greatest catastrophes to befall Ireland, The Great Famine. While the survey approach was primarily scientific in mapping the geological formations of the Irish landscape, another mapping function was resource speculation and the identification of potential mineral wealth.
As a counterpoint to the scientific and economic narrative, an interview with historian Proinnsíos ó Duigneáin in plots the influence of the Land League and how mass mobilisation of the population eventually led to better conditions for tenant farmers, sowing seeds for the Irish Independence movement. The project thus juxtaposes the dispassionate language of mapping with the emotional connections to land by those who own and care for it and further sets out to chart the contemporary social movements that have developed in the face of more recent economic threats including depopulation and climate change.
In developing the project the artist invites participation from local people and custodians of the land to contribute their own stories, memories and attitudes to the land they care for, including their hopes and concerns for the future in these uncertain times. The artist will be in the Gallery every open day except Saturday 29th August.
11am - 5pm
11am - 5pm
12am - 5pm
11am - 5pm
Saturday 22nd August
Tuesday 25th - Saturday 29th
Sunday 30th / Inspirational Homes event
Wednesday 2nd - Thursday 3rd September
Exhibition closes 4th September 2015.
Bio
Anna Macleod is a visual artist and independent researcher based in Leitrim, Ireland. Her work utilises various methods and processes to mediate complex ideas associated with contemporary, historical and cultural readings of place, the legacies of colonialism and differing cultural policies and understandings of land use. Her work employs quasi-scientific methods, interdisciplinary collaboration and research and socially engaged activism to critique contemporary urban and rural scapes and to build metaphoric spaces for re-imagining the future. Macleod has participated in numerous artist residencies and exhibited widely nationally and Internationally.
Her exhibition Water Conversations: A survey of Works 2007-2015 is currently running in The Dock, Carrick on Shannon until 12th September 2015 and her work is included in a group show, ET SI ON S'ETAIT TROMPÉ at the Centre Cultural Irelandais in Paris in September.
Light refreshments will be served, everyone welcome.
Exhibition supported by the Arts Council and Leitrim County Council and made in association with dearclimate.net.
- Leitrim Sculpture Centre, New Line, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim (Ionad Dealbh ireachta, Cluain, Co. Liatroim)
- info@leitrimsculpturecentre.ie
- www.leitrimsculpturecentre.ie
- Telephone: 071 985 5098
LSC acknowledge the financial support of the Arts Council.
