My collection of work titled ‘Why Do Pigeons Fly Home?’ contemplates ideas of home, identity and alienation in relation to Ireland’s inter-generational culture of emigration. While exploring this subject I became fascinated by the feathered inhabitants of Dublin and their resilience in a city that can be so unkind. I see similarities between Ireland’s youth and its pigeons, neglected and overlooked in the place they call home. My work doesn’t use the pigeon motif directly, instead I look to the remnants left behind to evoke a sense of emptiness, loss and longing that reflects the feelings experienced by those who choose to stay in an inhospitable home. My practice takes a multidisciplinary approach to making that combines traditional techniques with material exploration to craft wearable three-dimensional collages, composed from drawings, photos and found objects. The connection to material within my work is especially important to me. I use hands-on processes and techniques that have largely remained unchanged for centuries. These include precious metalwork, printmaking, etching, enamelling, hand carving and casting.
