My practice weaves Irish oral history into visual forms to explore and lament on the lasting consequences of the early 19th century Ordnance Survey. During this time, the land was commodified, having been measured by chains. By examining the ecological impact of historical colonialism on language, culture and changes in land use, my work reveals the connection that has been lost between humans and nature. From in-depth reading of Irish folklore recorded in the National Folklore Collection, the National Botanic Gardens, and the National History Museum, I have gathered mythical stories of the revenge of nature on those who attempt to meddle with its sacred resources. Playing with the tension between reality and myth in Irish folklore, this body of work presents digital portals which pour into our reality in the form of 3D prints of the regionally extinct water beetle, Bidessus Minutissimus.
