Purpose.

The Quay - Kinvara

An artist-in-residence program is an opportunity for professionals in the visual arts to research, develop methodologies, and produce a body of work.  Residencies generally range from 1-12 months at art institutions such as museums, art cooperatives, colleges/universities, or government-supported organizations.  While giving an artist the opportunity to explore a new body of work, residencies also foster collaboration and learning communities between the institution’s participants and the visiting candidate.  

The reason I chose Ireland is two-fold. Firstly, I was born in Ireland and hold dual citizenship, so I have a familial connection to the country. Secondly, as a photographer, my work often is site-specific—whether it be creating portraits in Central/South America, documenting the underwater landscape off the coast of Bonaire, or creating graphic aerial landscapes of the Palouse in Washington State.  To this end, Ireland offers an Irish-American visual artist such as myself a unique opportunity.  I will continue in the rich tradition of site-specific artwork, such as prominent contemporary photographer Alex Soth’s “Sleeping by the Mississippi”, Robert Frank’s “The Americans”—one of the most important series in the history of photography, Paul Gauguin’s South Pacific paintings, and Édouard Manet’s artwork referencing the streets of Paris. These are just a few of the many examples of work that informs my aesthetic and facilitated the decision to create artwork based in the country of my origin.