Launch of visual art exhibition at the Watergate Theatre in Kilkenny
The Essence of Place - an exhibition of work by Vicki O’Donogue is a series of work inspired by the artist’s fascination with standing stones, and stone circles.
“I believe that my own interest was ignited at a very young age, around seven, when I was first introduced to Stonehenge! Stonehenge was en route to many family holidays in Devon and Cornwall, it was a stop off point, a picnic site.
“Those were the days when you could sit amongst, and even on top of the huge flat stones, before the true significance of these sites were understood, and preservation seemingly wasn’t as important. Lucky for me, as the experience was wholesome, and raw, no preconceptions.
“I believe this engagement and interaction with this special site resonated with me at that tender age, even though I didn’t realise quite what I was experiencing, I always felt humbled and privileged to be there. As a family we were drawn back year after year, and my parents both appreciated nature, the environment and monuments, a love of which they nurtured in me.
As with all my work it alternated between the real and the imaginary."
The Essence of Place by Vicki O’Donoghue can be viewed upstairs at The Watergate Theatre Gallery until February 26.
The exhibition is dedicated to the memory of the artist’s mother.