An Essence of Presence (2017)

Exhibited
2017 Tuar Ard Arts Centre, Co Westmeath.

2018 Bailieborough Library, Co Cavan.

  • In her Lady's Chamber from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    In Her Lady’s Chamber
  • Treasured things (Bible and Rosary beads) from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    Treasured Possessions
  • Danny Doyle LP ready to be played from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    The Grand Old Opry
  • Bedroom with woven rug from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    Guest Bedroom
  • Book pile from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    Book Pile
  • Blue wash jug and basin from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    Wash Jug and Basin
  • Pope Pius
    Pope Pius
  • Hairbrush, comb and cross from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    Life’s Essentials
  • Net Curtains from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    Blowing Net Curtains
  • Grandma's Room from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    Grandma’s Room
  • Shelf from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    Balance
  • Net curtain from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    Net Curtains
  • Salter's Scales from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    Salter Scales
  • The Chauffeurs Seat from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    The Chauffeur’s Seat
  • Old Schooldesk in front of fireplace from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    Old Schoolhouse
  • Old Schoolroom from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    Old Schoolroom
  • sofa and a bottle of wine in an old schoolhouse from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    An Evening In
  • An Open Door: from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    An Open Door
  • A Touch of Pink: from An Essence of Presence exhibition
    A Touch of Pink
  • Asylum corridor
    Asylum Corridor

Just as a picture taken off a wall leaves a mark behind, so, too, do people by their absence. Personal belongings abandoned, a page turned at the corner as a bookmark, sheets left on the bed ready for sleeping in, LPs on the record player, clothes hanging in the wardrobe ready to wear – all of these items leave an essence of presence – a residual feeling in the atmosphere almost like a memory.

It is this presence of lives lived and memories made that I hope I captured for this exhibition which opened in Tuar Ard Arts Centre, Moate, Co Westmeath in 2017. With over 183,000 unlived-in properties in Ireland (according to Census 2016) it makes you wonder – where did everybody go?