Person to Person: My proudest moment? ...seeing my first film premiere in the Everyman

Tell us about yourself;

I’m Elinor O’Donovan, a visual artist from Cork. I mainly work with film, installation, and digital media. My work uses humour and play to explore ideas about knowledge, memory, truth, and identity, often drawing on pop culture and familiar symbols to question the world views we take for granted.

My new exhibition, Metametamorphosis, opened at Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh at the weekend, and mixes imagery of The Beatles with a reference to Franz Kafka. You can also see my video, Winter Sun, projected on the Triskel Arts Centre every evening after dark.

I’m currently a studio member at Temple Bar Gallery + Studios in Dublin and have shown my work in Ireland and internationally. Alongside my practice, I’m involved in artists’ advocacy, and was elected secretary of Praxis: The Artists Union of Ireland from 2023-2025.

Where were you born?

The South Infirmary.

Where do you live?

I moved to Dublin last August.

Family?

My parents, Lucia and Michael, and my two younger sisters, Kate and Alex.

Best friend?

The only way I could choose one would be to make them all fight to the death, Battle Royale-style.

Earliest childhood memory?

This may not reflect well on my parents, but I remember being knocked over by a wave at the beach as a toddler. I can swim now, in case anyone is worried.

Person you most admire?

The Finnish author Tove Jansson, who wrote the Moomin books. Her books for adults are also brilliant, especially The Summer Book, which I love.

Person who most irritates you?

I’m very lucky to have a studio in Temple Bar, but there’s a tin whistle player who busks for tourists that I hear every day. There are limits to how many times one person can hear You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon on the tin whistle before questioning their sanity.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

I visited the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro with two friends, Kate and Ellie, a few years ago. We stayed in a village called Perast, right on the bay, and one afternoon we hired a boat to take us to Our Lady of the Rocks, a tiny church built on a man-made island.

After a few days in Montenegro, I spent a week backpacking solo through Albania and ended my trip in Corfu.

Favourite TV programme?

Early seasons of The Simpsons.

Favourite radio show?

Anything on éist - a new online community radio station which operates out of Plugd. I do my own radio show once a month called Night Noises.

Your signature dish if cooking?

Roast chicken, simple salad with balsamic vinaigrette, and a baguette torn and shared by hand.

Favourite restaurant?

In the world: Taberna da Rua das Flores, Lisbon.

In Cork: Miyazaki, taken to eat in O’Sho.

Last book you read?

Eurotrash by Christian Kracht. 3 stars from me, but I did laugh when he referred to Geneva as “Calvingrad”.

Best book you read?

After The Summer Book by Tove Jansson, it might be The Gastronomical Me by MFK Fisher.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

World of Work by Clarissa Connelly

Favourite song?

Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell

One person you would like to see in concert?

Kate Bush

Do you have a pet?

No, RIP our cat Meg (2000-2015).

Morning person or night owl?

Morning person, I can’t stay up past midnight.

Your proudest moment?

Seeing my first film The Immeasurable Grief of the Prawn premiere in the Everyman at the Cork International Film Festival in 2023.

Spendthrift or saver?

Saver.

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

A slightly more reliable bus would be nice.

What makes you happy?

My friends, swimming, coming up with a good idea, having time and space to think, and occasionally winning at chess.

How would you like to be remembered?

Good artist, better friend.

What else are you up to at the moment?

The show Metametamorphosis at Sirius Arts Centre runs until March 14. After that, I’m packing up the work in my little Toyota Yaris and bringing it to 36 Gallery in Newcastle, England.

Later this year, I’ll be doing a residency at Spike Island with Sample-Studios, continuing research into my great-great-great-great aunt Charlotte Grace O’Brien, who set up a home in Cobh for emigrating Irish women travelling to the United States in the late 19th century.