Contemporary Souvenir & Cobh Fish Exchange

CONTEMPORARY SOUVENIR & COBH FISH EXCHANGE

Works by
Deirdre Nelson
in celebration of 2011 Irish Year of Craft

Two exhibitions stemming from a residency with this Scottish based textile artist, originally from Northern Ireland:
Contemporary Souvenir presents a series of works as a result of Deirdre Nelson’s residencies at Sirius Arts Centre in 2010 and 2011. With an interest in social history, Deirdre explored the colourful town of Cobh and its stories of lace makers,  knitters, ships, emigration, and the sea .  She attended lace making classes with local groups in order to learn techniques and to hear new stories.

Many stories uncovered were of sinking ships (Titanic and Lusitania) and emigration. With an interest in presenting positive stories of the area and its people,  Contemporary souvenir will present a series of positive ‘souvenirs’ for Cobh playing with the colour and characters of the area .

Amongst the works is a Sailors hat  with a map embroidered on the top  and a bowler hat to celebrate the visit of Laurel and Hardy to the town and the playing of their theme tune on Cobh cathedral  carillon. A knitted football celebrates Anne Geary a local woman part of a knitting co-operative who travelled following the world cup in her later years .

A series of deck chairs have been made in collaboration with Anne Kiely ( printed textile artist living in Cork). These are created with imagery and stories of Cobh and the visitor is encouraged to sit upon them and look out to sea .

Cobh Fish Exchange is a collaborative collective project involving schools, community groups and individuals from all over Ireland, who answered Deirdre’s call for a mackerel run of the textile variety – fish of all shapes and sizes will fill the gallery!

Both exhibitions run from 15 October – 13 November
Special thanks to Cork County Council Arts Grants and the Arts Council for their support of these projects.

You are also invited to:
THE GREAT FISH AUCTION!
Sunday 13 November 7:00pm
To benefit the Sirius Arts Centre
A number of the Fish in the Cobh Fish Exchange will be auctioned off and proceeds will help fund future arts programming.
All are welcome!

Gallery Hours: Wed – Fri 11AM – 5pm (closed 1 – 2)/Sat & Sun 2pm – 5pm/ Mon& Tues closed.

For more information please contact Sirius at 021 481 3790 or via email at: cobharts@iol.ie