A beautiful exhibition of artworks created by Arts for Health participants in Bantry Day Care Centre is on display in Bantry library for the month of May!
Throughout April, visual artist Michael Greenlaw worked with more than 30 participants over 8 sessions to produce the work. At the heart of the exhibition is that great symbol of summer – the sun. ‘The sun that ripens our crops and warms our souls.’
The large sun in the main window of the library was made using collaged tissue paper, stuck to an acetate sheet, then peeeled off. Each person made a section.
The bowls on display on the dresser were made using the same technique, though this time plastic bowls were covered in cling film, then sun coloured tissue paper was used to cover the bowl. When this was dry and hard, the plastic bowl was removed, the cling film having acted as a barrier for easy removal. One woman decided to knit her bowl in sun-coloured wool instead which turned out beautifully!
In addition, participants were asked to come up with words they associated with summer. These words were assembled into the circular ‘wordgram’.
The lively sessions often included conversations around summer days in West Cork, and singing songs. One afternoon a participant even made up a song about Bantry on the spot!
Michael brought the work together and arranged the display at Bantry Library. You can visit the exhibition from 1 to 31 May. Bantry Library opening hours are: Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30am – 5:30pm.
Images by Michael Greenlaw.