Tele-scope out this art

Dark matter, parallel universes, and the mysteries of the cosmos are just some of the subjects to be explored as MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory welcomes its first ever art gallery exhibition this month.

Opening on 29 September, the exhibition runs until 25 October, and forms part of the observatory’s highly anticipated Space Week programme.

The exhibition, titled ‘Up There’, features the work of Cork-based artist Marie Bryan. Through painting, sculpture, text art, and film, Bryan’s exhibition fuses creativity with scientific discovery.

As part of Space Week Bryan will also deliver an artist talk on 11 October at 6pm at MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory, where she will talk in detail about the themes of ‘Up There’ and share insights into her creative process.

Donna Fitzgerald, Curator at Blackrock Castle Observatory, said: “We are excited to open Blackrock Castle Observatory’s gallery doors with our very first exhibition that bridges art and science so creatively and boldly. Marie’s work is a perfect mix of curiosity, wonder, and imagination; the very qualities we would like to inspire in all our visitors.”

A native of Cork, Bryan brings together her background in science with a BSc from UCC and her studies in Fine Art from MTU Crawford College of Art and Design. Her previous exhibitions include ‘Pleased to Meet You’, a series of portraits of Cork Simon Community residents exhibited at Cork Airport and across Cork City Libraries, and ‘Shadow Side and the Artist’s Escape’ at MTU Cork School of Music. Most recently, she has completed commissioned works for the Irish Navy, in tribute to Operation Pontus, the humanitarian rescue in the Mediterranean.