Upcoming Exhibition

by Marie Brett

Exhibition Dates: 3rd - 30th - Oct 2024. 

  This will be the first showing of a new body of artwork comprising: a short film, a series of CMYK prints, photographs, and in support of the exhibition - a small printed publication with a number of contextual essays and a short documentary video.   It’s been documented that for thousands of years people have sought healing and curative properties of water at holy/sacred wells. Cultural lore speaks of rite/ritual actions at wells, including pattern days, ‘doing the rounds’ and gift offerings.  A considerable number of wells remain findable and exist as active places of devotion, visited by huge numbers. All are non-sectarian ‘open and accessible to people of all faiths, beliefs and persuasions and the sites often have flowers, clooties and votive candles left as precursors to earlier forms of pre-Christian worship, which sit concurrent with Catholic faith iconography.  The artwork focusses on the contemporaneity of folk custom at holy wells, explored though a series of critical questions related to human health and environmental consciousness.
The work, made locally, comes from ‘Well, Well, Well? a socially engaged project based in Luxnor, Ardfert and Millstreet, led by artist Marie Brett working with the ‘Holy Wells of Cork and Kerry’ collective and a community of farmers, well custodians, historians, healers, herbalists, scholars, writers and other interested people. The exhibition seeks to successfully profile this newly made artwork; to contextualise the synergy between folk culture and contemporary visual art; and to start new conversations about holy wells, environmental consciousness, health, wellness and personal action. Entry for all exhibitions is free to enjoy 10am-5:30pm, last entry for exhibitions is 5pm. Hours may change seasonally or during events, please see our Building Opening Hours page for the latest updates.