Opening of the Exhibition from 4 pm to 6 pm - (Following the Choral Trail at 3pm with Cor Blath Oraiste)
The exhibition will run until the End of June 2025.
ANN MECHELINCK - ARTIST STATEMENT
Undoubtedly it is due to living in the countryside and its prevalence in my immediate surroundings that I became fascinated by moss, captivated by its different textures and various colours of green growing in abundance on stones, stone walls, on trees and in the undergrowth of the magical forests of West Cork.
While exploring and interpreting these tiny organisms, their purpose, their meaning, their colours and textures… I became more and more conscious of nature's power and ability to regenerate. Moss became my symbolisation of positivity in a negative world, my synonym of healing, hope and optimism, mindsets that are too often un(der)appreciated, disregarded or go unnoticed in our current society.
The slow and repetitive processes of weaving, crochet and embroidery allow me the time to reflect, to contemplate and meditate, away from a world that often doesn’t make sense. I believe that more than ever these traditional skills, passed from generation to generation, need to be kept alive in today’s day and age where everything has become mechanised or computerised. For that reason, I deliberately work solely by hand, using Irish yarns, nurturing a slower pace of life and a more conscious way of living and working, merging traditional techniques into contemporary, abstract artworks that convey the comfort and tranquillity of being in nature.
With this work I want to ignite a dialogue about positive and constructive living and thinking in a world where we seem to thrive on negativity and lack of empathy. This work is about hope and harmony, about appreciating and embracing the small things in life, about trust and belief… in ourselves, in others, in finding beauty in the world around us and solace in nature.
ANN MECHELINCK - ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Originally from Belgium, Ann came to live in Ireland in 2005. She lives in Macroom co. Cork, working as a self-employed textile artist after graduating in Applied Arts – Textiles at the Crawford College of Art and Design in 2015.
Ann blends various traditional techniques - circular weaving, crochet and embroidery - using only Irish wools, into contemporary wall-hangings that are a visual translation of her intimate connection with the Irish landscape and the comforting, calming effect of being in nature has on her.
Her classes and workshops enable her a wonderful balance between the isolated studio time and meeting other creatives with whom she can share her knowledge and skills.
She is a member of Cork Textiles Network and Cork Craft and Design. Her work has been exhibited in Ireland and abroad as far as Ukraine and Japan.
Also check out other Exhibitions in Cork, Arts events in Cork, Workshops in Cork.
