Thirty works by Pamela de Brí in Kilcock Gallery exhibition

Our offshore islands clebrated in art

Currently running at Kilcock Art Gallery is 'Ar an Imeall - On The Edge', a landmark solo exhibition by Kildare based artist Pamela de Brí exploring the in-depth story of Ireland’s offshore islands encapsulating their history, culture and their overall essence. The breadth of work captured over six years includes 58 paintings (oil on board) with 30 paintings, with an accompanying book publication in the autumn.

Pamela de Brí works in painting, printmaking, photography and video. Her work documents and reflects social and demographic changes in rural Ireland. Her work incorporates her love of Irish language and heritage. A graduate of IADT and NUI Maynooth, she has curated exhibitions for the Leinster Printmaking Studio and has exhibited extensively nationally and internationally. Her practice explores and engages with the changing social and environmental landscape of Ireland. She focuses on an aspect of society, engages with relevant people, explores the locations, and builds a body of documentation which inspires the resulting artwork.

'Ar an Imeall - On The Edge' shows Ireland’s distinctive outline of offshore islands as seen from the mainland. The artwork attempts to capture the soul and spirit of each island from the artist’s own sense of the place. It’s about language, culture, the stories and the way people lived. This exhibition is unique in that it is the first time that anyone has depicted our offshore islands in painting with supporting stories.

“This is a celebration of our islands," de Brí explains. "Their stories explore gloriously rich history, anchored in six years of comprehensive research but delivered with a sense of respect and appreciation.”

The volume of work features offshore islands from the very tip of Northern Ireland - Rathlin Island - to islands scattered around the Ireland’s south, east and west coasts. The artist has captured over 58 offshore islands, some inhabited and some not. From Achill Island in Mayo, Inishturk west Mayo, Ireland’s Eye off Dublin, Straw Island off the coast of Galway, Tearaght off the Blasket’s to Scariff and Deenish in Co Kerry to one of the smallest - Mew Island in County Down which houses Mew Island Lighthouse.

“The earliest inhabitants of Ireland lived on the shores and adjoining islands and this body of work reflects that history which also informs our present day. This collection invites the viewer to contemplate our world, what is lost and what can be lost,” Pamela said.

“I’ve had an enduring love of islands from childhood, that inspired me to research them further and to visually respond to them. My work explores shifts and changes in rural Ireland. I record how images from the past through Ireland’s landscapes embody cultural memory and characterise the future. I want this work to have relevance to the society from which it evolves.”

The exhibition will run at Kilcock Art Gallery, School Street, from 26th April until 7th June, 11am to 4pm, Wednesday to Saturday or view the collection online at www.kilcockartgallery.ie and pameladebri.com