Offaly artists feature in 'Bogskin" exhibition at Esker Arts in Tullamore

A major exhibition titled "BogSkin", which examines the relationship of Irish art to the boglands over the past 50 years, is currently on exhibit at the Croghan Gallery at Esker Arts in Tullamore, Offaly until June 28th.

On tour after opening at the RHA in January, BogSkin, is an exploration of the bog through painting, video, and sculpture. The bog has always occupied a central role in Irish life, in our folklore, history and home life. The exhibitors are delighted to present BogSkin, curated by RHA Director, Patrick T Murphy.

Along with artists Robert Ballagh, Veronica Bolay, Patrick Collins, Barrie Cooke, Tom De Paor, Laura Fitzgerald, Shane Hynan, Finbarr Kelly, Catriona Leahy, Fiona McDonald, Siobhan McDonald, Seán McSweeney, Hughie O’Donoghue, Nigel Rolfe, Noel Sheridan, Maria Simonds-Gooding, Camille Souter and Amelia Stein, the exhibition also features local artists, including award winning photographer Tina Claffey from Birr, and Patrick Hough, award winning multimedia artist from Banagher.

Tina Claffey's large scale artworks magnify hidden treasures within the living carpet, a striking triptych of the magnificent Round leaved Sundew, a bejewelled Birch shieldbug and otherworldly sphagnum-Feathery Bog Moss.

In Patrick Hough's intriguing and thought provoking video installation 'The Black River of Herself' an archaeologist holds a conversation with a bog body, in which the body tells how she was sacrificed thousands of years ago, as he endeavours to exhume the body.

The Bogskin exhibition runs at Esker Arts Centre until June 28th. Admission is free.

Originally published John O' Callaghan in Offaly Live