‘Words are not everyone’s first language’
A studio supporting individuals in Cork with intellectual disabilities has launched a series of compelling portraits on film, helped by one of Leeside’s best-known photographers.
Created by the 16 artists at Crawford Supported Studios, the videos offer intimate insights each member’s creative process as they describe the meaning and the energies behind their art. The series are co-created by Cork photographer and filmmaker Clare Keogh.
The studio is anchored through a unique long-term partnership between MTU Crawford College of Art & Design and Crawford Art Gallery, with ongoing support from Cork City Council and Cope Foundation.
Arts Officer at MTU, Sarah C Morey said: “Words are not everyone’s first language. By supporting their artistic engagement, the artists develop their own unique visual language challenging us to consider fresh approaches to ability, education, and cultural citizenship. This diversity benefits our creative and learning community as a whole.”
Released monthly, the video portraits will be available to watch across a number of media platforms as well as at crawfordsupportedstudios.com.
Crawford Supported Studios currently supports 16 talented artists in the heart of Cork city where it focuses on ability rather than deficit, advocating that diversity means not just tolerating difference but valuing it. The artists also showcase their work in regular exhibitions and projects, and for sale on the supported studios website.
Artist John Noel Kenneally describes his work as painting stories: “Yeah, mostly it’s practice. Pure determination, like, and stuff like that, to tell a story.”
Fellow artist Eoin O’Brion is fascinated by construction and demolition, the inner workings of buildings, mechanical parts, and how things work. “My time machine drawings help erase bad memories, the mystery is solved,” explains Eoin.
For artist Bríd Heffernan, who works with a variety of textiles including printmaking, spray paint, and furniture up-styling, expression is all about being brave in one’s approach. “I don’t make things simple for myself, that is how you learn, by making things harder.”
Taking another approach, artist Ailbhe Barrett says she was “born to do art!”. Her drawings are accomplished using a continuous line, her hand often not leaving the page.
Crawford Supported Studio provides safe studio space, dedicated facilitators, art materials, equipment, assistance with transport and communications, access to exhibitions, audiences, peers, and support in terms of training and development.
The 16 current Crawford Supported Studio artists are Ailbhe Barrett, Angela Burchill, Anna Stack, Bríd Heffernan, David Connolly, Íde Ni Shúilleabháin, John Noel Kenneally, Katie Whelan, Marie Sexton, Mary Rose Marshall, Nicola Moran, Rosaleen Moore, Stephen Murray, Tom O’Sullivan, and Yvonne Condon.
“The artist’s share their distinctive personalities on film and are a joyful watch,” says Mary McCarthy, Director of Crawford Art Gallery. “Crawford Supported Studios artist’s work features in the national collection at Crawford Art Gallery. We are championing these artists because the artwork being produced is inspiring, bold, humorous, and engaging to a broad audience. Often fearless.”