Louth based artist group AAEX run workshops for the deaf community

'Hidden Abilities' project showcased art created by Irish Sign Language clients from the Deaf Community in Louth.

The artwork was produced in a series of eight art workshops facilitated by an ISL interpreter and AAEX, Art As Exchange, local artists who hold 'place making' in the centre of their collaborative, community engaged practice.

This project is running since 2022 and is kindly supported by Creative Ireland and Droichead Arts Centre.

The exhibition opened on 30th August 11am and ran till September 6th 2023.

Hidden Abilities is a diverse exploration of creative expression in the guise of performance, photography, drawing, design and sculptural 3D construction.

Project themes include bodily relations to colour, space, signs and symbols, identity politics, cultural blindness, social anonymity and the theatrics of (in)visibility.

Embracing freedom of expression for Deaf Community artists, the project aims to build alliances across the Deaf and Hearing

Community, providing a platform to create and co-host this multi-lingual exhibit, said lead artist Susan Farrelly.

“The project interweaves artistic musings, evocative memories and colourful reflections on continued desires to express and integrate Irish Sign Language into our shared space here and beyond the gallery.

“Featured artworks created a space for playful transformation, experimentation and self expression - promoting positive visibility, inviting viewers to feel welcomed, look, and consider Irish Sign Language.”

Project Space
‘All the world's a stage’ is a playful art installation created with artist Michael Stafford.

Michael led collaborative workshops developing collage as an abstract basis for 3D models.

The group hand painted wooden boards inspired by the collages.

Once assembled together, the flat surface transforms into architectural planes that create these full scale 3D sculptures.

Observation, line drawing and colour blocking workshops with artist Johnny Corcoran feature in an array of wall and rock art.
Each work explores and celebrates individual expression.

Artist Julie Corcoran focused on the message participants wanted to convey in the exhibit, to show you their hidden abilities.

Participants observed the power of symbols in photography, through examples of Julie's work and responded to what was on display in the Droichead Gallery at the time of the workshops (a photographic exhibition by young people around Drogheda).

Some were drawn to the pet portraits, others saw sadness in the boarded up houses during a housing crisis; this fed into what was photographed on the photo walks around the town.

They also went in search of sunflowers, the international symbol for hidden disabilities.

The second photo walk followed the Drawda Mural Trail.

On display from these workshops with Julie are two large black and white photographs - Inclusion and Street Unscene - with participants' photographs all printed on Hahnemühle archival paper and a video installation. 

Big congratulations to the Project Team involved - Artist Participants - Siobhan Anshaesi, Johnny Corcoran, Brid Donaghue, Sarah Mallon, Clodagh Roche, Angela Quinn & Ultan Wilson.

AAEX Team - Susan Farrelly (Lead Artist), Bernhard Gaul (Artist) , Julie Corcoran, Johnny Corcoran, Michael Stafford, (Artist Facilitators), Leah Murray (ISL Interpreter).

Art As Exchange will continue to grow accessible art engagement opportunities for all in Co. Louth into 2023/2024.

Next up is Culture Night September 22nd, with AAEX artists and Fab Lab facilitators from Creative Spark holding a joint event in the Downtown Hub.

Participants will be guided to create a stylised portrait.

The evening includes digitally processed photographic images, laser cutting, stenciling and collage making.

Booking is highly recommended and can be done www.eventbrite.ie, but walk-ins are also welcome if space allows.