Gabháil Mhóna

Thousands of years of dead matter combine with an aliveness that makes the bog a potent place. Place has many meanings but in this context relates to the thoughts, feelings, memories and imagination that come to light when the senses are engaged and the human body can take in its surroundings. The artists had long conversations with each contributor on the bog, gathering thoughts, feelings and memories. It is from this process that the artist's imaginations were inspired to create the photographs.

It was evident from the conversations that were gathered that the bog has a central role in people's memories. There was a particular culture that related to the bog, with community, work, sharing of food and household economics interwoven into a specific ecosystem. In envisaging a new ecosystem for the bog new and old traits need to dialogue. Traits that relate to romanticism, surrealism, darkness and physical labour amongst others.

The Gabháil Mhóna (armful of turf) exhibition does not set out to directly answer the questions "what do you imagine for the bog?" but endeavours to inspire reflection, open imagination and keep the conversation about the future of the bog going.

Siobhán is a dancer and choreographer who spent time on the bog in Co. Cork in her youth. Dervla is a photographer and film-maker based in Cork. These two artists have worked together extensively since 2018 seeking to present dance, the body, place and landscape in a variety of ways.