West Cork art exhibition on Sherkin Island explores our natural world

An art exhibition exploring the spirituality of nature in the work of US poet Mary Oliver (1935-2019) is set to open in the Sherkin Island Community Hall. The Heavenly (In)Visibles is part of Patsy Atkinson’s MA by research at MTU Crawford College of Art and Design.

The artworks echo key themes that emerged through Ms Atkinson’s thematic analysis of Oliver’s poetry: Presence, interconnection, attention, animism, and transcendence.

Her art uses slow, meditative, and nature-based processes, including natural dyeing using plants sustainably foraged from the hedgerows of the West Cork island.

Ms Atkinson said she hopes her exhibition nurtures awareness of how empathetic engagement with the natural world and its spiritual energy can lead to more respect for nature.

“My work captures the minutiae of nature and colours and stillness of this beautiful West Cork island,” she said.

The Heavenly (In)Visibles exhibition opens at 2pm on Thursday, August 27, and will run until September 2.