Exhibition Programme 2023

Please note that dates are subject to change. 

Sérgio Leitão
UILLINN_THE FALLOUT
1 April to 6 May

Over three residencies at Uillinn (2022/2023), Portuguese artist Sérgio Leitão developed a contextual mixed media installation titled UILLINN_THE FALLOUT. The exhibition addresses Skibbereen's past and present contexts, from the 1631 Sack of Baltimore, that led to development of the Capital of the Carberies (a video entitled How This is Different From Westphalia_Islands II), to a colourful and vibrant town (as presented in the whole installation), including found graphic elements and objects as well as different production and research tools, as is current in the artist’s practice. The artist will continue to develop the installation throughout the 5 weeks of its installation, bringing in new elements and interacting with the public.

The exhibition will open on Saturday 1 April at 2.00pm with a gallery conversation between the artist and Uillinn director Ann Davoren. A further gallery talk will take place on Saturday 29 April, also at 2.00pm when Italian curator Giulio Verago will discuss Sérgio's arts practice and his exhibition for Uillinn.

More information on the exhibition here.

More information on the residencies here: sergio-leitao

Kevin O'Farrell
Hegarty’s Boatyard: Last Surviving Traditional Wooden Boatyard in Ireland
13 May to 10 June

This body of documentary photography, developed over 20 years, celebrates Ireland’s disappearing maritime heritage and the skills of traditional wooden boatbuilders focusing on three generations of the same family working in Hegarty’s Boatyard, Oldcourt, Skibbereen, Co Cork. Kevin O’Farrell’s practice draws on the traditions of photojournalism and magazine reportage. The exhibition comprises many photographs of the restoration of the AK Ilen, the last of Ireland’s traditional wooden, ocean-going sailing ships, as well as a new set of photographs of the restoration of the Saoirse, a 42 foot ketch on which Connor O’Brien circumnavigated the world in the 1920s. Both vessels were built in Baltimore, re-built in Hegarty’s of Oldcourt and documented throughout the process by Kevin O’Farrell.

“This is a strong, classic body of photographic work, which records and preserves an important part of Ireland’s living heritage. The photographs offer rich interpretations from a variety of perspectives – and I believe the exhibition will garner interest from those interested not only in photography and art, but also in maritime culture, as well as archaeologists and cultural historians.” Tanya Kiang, Curator, Photo Museum Ireland.

West Cork Arts Centre Members and Friends
17 June to 22 July