Mary Whitty

Bio

Mary Whitty is a visual artist and educator based in Cork, Ireland. She received an Honours degree in Contemporary Applied art at MTU Crawford College of Art and Design in 2021. She currently makes work at her studio above Singers Corner in Cork City. Mary creates drawings and sculptures with a focus on integrating more sustainable materials that can be composted or reinvented. Printmaking techniques are also used to aid her drawings, exploring the interconnectedness of ecosystems. Recent exhibitions include ‘Where the Sky meets the Sea’ exhibited in OHK café, as part of the 2024 Kinsale Arts Weekend. She is also engaged in upcoming research, collaborating with other artists at the Cow House Studios Residency in Co. Wexford.

Artist Statement

My art is an exploration of the symbiosis between fungi and native Irish plants, Irish landscape geography and earth care. I use sustainable materials, like foraged or home-grown plants made into natural dyes and inks, to create prints and drawings that reinvents the Irish landscape. My sculptures, inspired by the growth and interconnectedness of fungi and native flora, mimic their forms. I aim to encapsulate the essence and history of the Irish landscape, deepening our connection to the native environment. Much of my work is photographed outdoors to ‘speak back’ to the land. Guided by permaculture principles, my prints and sculptures delve into the world of native Irish plants and fungi. My drawings and sculptures are abstract, allowing for multiple interpretations and encouraging viewers to see an amalgamation of various shapes and textures, evoking a surreal yet familiar feeling identifiable from the sea or land.  

Instagram @maryelizabethwhitty

Membership: Backwater Artists Network