Earlier this Summer I had the privilege of working with the The Irish Community Wetlands Forum on a project entitled "Peatland People". I travelled to eight different bogs throughout the midlands and met with amazing volunteer groups who work tirelessly to protect their natural habitats..This collaboration resulted in a book and a short promotional film. It really was such a rewarding experience for me on a personal level and for that, I am extremely grateful. This experience has given me a newfound appreciation for Ireland's bogs, recognising them as critical habitats for protecting biodiversity and serving as essential carbon sinks. Their tranquil atmosphere and isolation from everyday life make bogs ideal for finding peace and a deeper connection with nature.
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Well as I start to get my TITS UP (This Is The Single Use Plastic) Photo-booth (to highlight festival plastic waste) ready to return to The Electric Picnic I remember the video made by the school children in Stradbally earlier in the year in response to the mess left behind ....... and sadly I fear this year will be just as bad.... check it out ......straight from the mouth of babes... Opens at United Irish Cultural Centre San Francisco https://irishcentersf.org/event/eire-today-opening-night-artists-reception/ In this recent body of work I am inviting art enthusiasts and culture aficionados alike to embark on a captivating visual journey through my exhibition, “Textures of Rural Ireland.” Through the medium of photography and photo-montage I am exploring the nuances of Irish nature and culture and presenting a collection of 30 square format images that celebrate the richness, authenticity, and beauty of rural Irish life. Each photograph serves as a brushstroke in a larger narrative, unveiling the intricate tapestry of textures found in the simplicity and authenticity of rural Irish existence. From macro photography shots capturing Ireland’s rich biodiversity to thought-provoking images of roadside Virgin Mary statues, the exhibition offers a diverse fusion of artistic styles and themes. I am hopefully encouraging viewers to take a closer look, revealing hidden gems and illustrating the profound connection between Ireland’s breath-taking nature and the intricate details found within its landscapes. From the wonders of frogs breathing to the delicate bloom of wild garlic, the exhibition offers an intimate perspective on the often-overlooked enchantment that thrives within Ireland’s captivating landscapes. This exhibition was supported by Culture Ireland
T.I.T.S U.P. (This Is The Single Use Plastic Photobooth) returned to Electric picnic again this year to highlight the same festival-waste issues come up every year as EP are nowhere nearer to solving them. We believe that it is not simply down to the festival goers. Of course they all have personal responsibility when it comes to leaving no trace behind them, but the festival organisers must also lead by example and be held accountable for the generation of so much waste. They could incentivize festival-goers to bring their tents home by charging a tent tax, paid for at the point of sale and returned to them as they leave the campsite, tent in arms. This is a conversation we hear every year at EP however nothing changes and the situation just worsens. With a capacity of 70,000 people, the Electric Picnic (EP) is Ireland's largest gathering of music & arts and it has established itself as one of the world's most unique festivals. However the growing environmental cost of hosting such a large-scale event needs to be addressed most notably with the increasing volume of tents abandoned each year. Using a large photograph (as a backdrop )of last year’s EP campsite AFTER everyone had left.... we invited festival goers to have their portrait taken and to help us to come up with solutions to end this campsite carnage! We also started a petition as we want those responsible for organising this festival to put procedures in place to ensure that this current level of plastic pollution at the EP campsites is not permitted to continue. Please sign and share if you agree my.uplift.ie/petitions/end-electric-picnic-campsite-carnage
Imagine a world where every school community IN THE WORLD had students actively designing and leading projects aimed at curbing and/or adapting to climate change. It certainly would be one way to begin implementing a new green learning agenda focused on developing deeper understanding of the numerous ways human action can help sustain a planet in balance and build the civic action skills needed to solve collective problems.
That's why it was so great to work with the girls of St Brigid’s GNS in Dublin recently and see first-hand how a creative-led and fun learning approach will help build the mindsets and know-how of the world’s young people to be the drivers now and in the future of climate-smart nations.
Our connection to nature, how much we feel we are a part of the natural world, has been closely associated with wellbeing, as well as looking after the environment.
It was wonderful to be recently paired with this small rural primary school in Wolfhill Co. Laois. Using the creative medium of photography and film-making I was able to nurture these young children’s feeling of connection to nature to ensure we have happier children and create awareness of the wonders of their everyday environment at the same time! A very important part of my collaborative arts practice aims to make nature connection a distinct goal of early childhood education and thank you to the BLAST programme for their assistance in helping to make this possible
I am always amazed a young peoples different creative ways of approaching environmental themes. Here's another example of recent BLAST ( Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teachers) project with Mayo National School County Laois - so great to help young people to find their voice and highlight their concerns for the environment through the medium of film-making!
A recent BLAST ( Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teachers) project with Scoil Muire in Tullamore, Offaly - so great to help this group of young people to find their voice and highlight their concerns for the environment through the medium of film-making!
Opening Night at The United Irish Cultural Center |
AuthorAnnie Holland is an Irish artist and photographer currently engaged in artworks that tackle and highlight, the growing problems of plastic pollution. Archives
September 2024
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