microGALLERY Project 6 / Statio Bene (Fida Carinis) by Bernadette Tuite
9:00am - 5:00pm
Artist Statement Bernadette Tuite
Through my explorations by sea into places accessible only by kayak I venture into hidden, undervalued and undeniably beautiful places. My explorations have led me to question our relationship with the landscape and our role in responsible stewardship of our coastal surroundings. Although the coastline appears rugged, an impervious protective bulwark against the Atlantic and the elements, it is vulnerable to human impact. This vulnerability is expressed in the use of stressed clay in my work and by balancing the ceramic sculptures on small bases.
I carefully manipulate found coastal materials, sand etc. into the individual pieces. Drift wood and other found items become integrated into the work by using them to mark make, impress and score the clay. This creates a visible narrative from these inaccessible coastal places to the gallery viewing public, an opportunity to reconnect with nature. My form of storytelling gives a tangible sculptural expression to the creative and erosive dialog of these Littoral zones, articulating the relationship between humanity and our vulnerable landscape.
Bio
Bernadette was a boat captain for many years in San Francisco. Her affinity with the sea remians evident in her work. She returned home to Meath in 2011 to care give to her parents. She was fortunate enough to return to college and graduated Crawford College of Art & Design (CCAD) in 2018 (BA Hons) in Applied Art - Ceramic Glass & Textiles. She was awarded the CCAD Graduate Residency in the Ceramics Department, completed in June of 2019.
Since 2019 Bernadette has been awarded the Thomas Dammann Jnr. Memorial Trust Award in 2021 to assist in creating and archive of her coastal research. The Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, Future Makers Award 2019 and Meath County Arts Office Going Solo Award 2019.
Bernadette’s career path is on a very positive trajectory. Currently she is working on the as towards the 2022 exhibition season, with her work featured in exhibitions locally and nationwide.