Hamilton and McCann shows in Solstice

To mark the start of the autumn season, Solstice Gallery is launching two exhibitions to run concurrently from 1st September- 21st October. A number of talks and workshops for adults, teenagers and toddlers will take place around these exhibitions as part of Solstice’s commitment to outreach and development of arts awareness and practice in Meath.

Dublin-based artist Niamh McCann has spent weeks installing 'Just left of Copernicus (The Pastoral)', the third and final manifestation of a touring exhibition produced by Solstice. Each of its previous manifestations, at both Visual, Carlow ('Roof of the Story') and Limerick City Gallery of Art ('A Prologue') were unique to each space. McCann collaborated with architects Jack Byrne and Séamus Bairead to develop the large scale structure/object Copernicus for Now made of industrially produced cardboard tubes and plywood. A section of background landscape in the infamous photograph of Armstrong on the moon, as well as ideas contained within B Fuller’s Spaceship Earth, are amongst references for the work. Copernicus for Now is both object and event, a crater-like landscape for visitors to occupy and events to take place.

Meanwhile, Boardsmill artist Aileen Hamilton will take over the foyer and coffee shop gallery space with her work 'Folding Pathways'. Hamilton considers ecological cycles and organic processes within her drawings. Here she explores the delicate balances and repetitive patterns that bind the natural world to form. Isolated landscapes appear suspended or floating in a fragile or exposed state. Hamilton bends her landscapes akin to a space-time continuum through exploratory folds. This process underpins the artist occupation in searching for existential meaning in both micro and macro environments.

For information on a series of workshops for young children (aged 3yrs – 5yrs) and a one-day workshop for teens with acclaimed actor Gina Moxley contact erin.kenny@solsticeartscentre.ie or call 046 909 2300.

The foyer gallery is open daily from 9:30 – 4:00 (excl Sunday) while the upstairs gallery opens Tuesday – Saturday 11:00 – 4:00. Admission is free.

Building Stories: Exploring the Process, launches Thurs 1st September, 6.30pm.

A behind-the-scenes glimpse into how architects Jack Byrne and Seamus Bairead worked with artist Niamh McCann to translate her ideas into a built structure, from initial inspiration through design and making processes.

Followed by opening & catalogue launch