Dates: 29 January – 11 February 2024
Location: Studio 12, Backwater Artists Group, Wandesford Quay
Project Showcase: TBC
Studio 12 Project Residency: Rock, Paper, Scissors
Orla O’Byrne is currently the artist in residence at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork.
Her first act as resident has been to curate an exhibition of plaster maquettes within the cathedral itself. These maquettes are architect William Burges’ unique designs for the stone carvings of St Fin Barre’s. They were made by his long-time associate, Thomas Nicholls.
Maquettes such as these would usually have been destroyed once their purpose had been served and the building was finished. Thankfully, that didn’t happen in this case and we have been left a rich yet fragile legacy.
Rock, Paper, Scissors
For two weeks starting on January 29th, Studio 12 will become a place where Orla can make work and reflect on the cathedral project away from (but still within sight of) the cathedral itself.
“This is a chance to bring some of my discoveries and experiences in the cathedral into my own practice and to see what emerges”
The title of this residency, Rock, Paper, Scissors, refers not only to hands and their gestures as observed in the maquettes and statuary, but also to the interplay of ideas and materials. It also represents a sort of tension, unpredictability and unknown outcomes.