Born in Sydney’s western suburbs, I was raised between the rural west of Ireland and urban Australia and these formative experiences continue to shape my interest with place, perception and cultural histories.

I use an expanded drawing practice to explore personal experiences with Irish vernacular beliefs, specifically the Otherworld. Contemporary ideas of the Irish Otherworld are sourced from a text by the Irish writer, Manchán Magan (1970-2025) whose work focuses on the intersection of culture, ecology and ancestral memory. In his book Thirty-Two Words for Field (2020), Magan explains that the Irish Otherworld is much more than an imaginary realm; it is an important concept that connects people with the natural world, religious beliefs and ancestors – all at the same time. Ancestral connection is important to me I am the first person in my family to be born in Australia after they left West Belfast in the 1970s.

This work brings together performance and photography. I use photographs of places that hold personal and familial significance. The costumed performance is inspired by an Old Irish poem The Lament of the Old Woman of Beare (Cailleach Bhéarra), circa 10th-century, which reflects on loss and the passage of time. The Cailleach is interpreted to mean “the veiled one” (caille translates as veil). My intention is visualise what type of memories persist across generations and how cultural histories are carried forward.

Today there is scarcely 
a dwelling-place I could recognise; 
what was in flood 
is all ebbing.

- The Lament of the Old Woman of Beare (Cailleach Bhéarra).
Early Irish lyrics: Eighth to twelfth century, Gerard Murphy (Four Courts Press, 2026)

References:

The Blindboy Podcast, "Mythology, rewilding forests and indigenous knowledge with Manchán Magan." Audio recording, 9 Aug 2023. Duration 1 hour 37 minutes. Link.