My work is primarily based around sculpture making but I also use video and audio support in my practice. Recently I have primarily been using bog oak as my subject. The inspiration for my work comes from ancient Irish megaliths, such as stone circles. The way these structures are meticulously arranged in our landscape and their connection to celestial objects fascinates me. The symbolism of the Circle and the Sacred Irish Oak Tree are often referred to in our mythology. The bog oak I use was alive in the Irish landscape during the construction of our great stone circles.The sculptures I create become the subject for my videos. During the spring equinox in 2024 I carried Ciorcal na nDéise, my bog oak installation, to its original homeland in County Waterford, to be filmed. It was installed in the Comeragh mountains for five days and five nights. The journey became a vital role in the story of the work. The piece was first carried a considerable distance across the mountain and then I stayed with it for the duration of the install. Without the use of my phone I became very aware of the sounds, smells and the different atmospheric changes happening around me, and how they affected my body. I felt a deeper connection with the land. I could then appreciate the philosophy of late Irish writer John Moriarty, who I take great inspiration from, on how he navigated his way through our Irish landscape. Irish writer and documentary maker Manchán Magan has also heavily influenced my work. I like his argument about why mythology can be relevant today and used as a means of learning. He believes they are not just colourful stories but an ancient form of knowledge. My artwork aims to be a reminder to us of the deep roots within our ancient history and its timeless wisdom that can still resonate with us today.
