Artist statement

“Your loved one didn’t leave society down, society left your loved one down.” - Niall Breslin (Holdmydrink Podcast, 2024) 

My work explores women’s rights in Ireland, focusing on the history and legacy of the Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundries institutions. This is a personal subject for me, it resonates deeply with my family experience and is informed by this. As well as this, I was educated in former institutions in secondary school and later in art college. These experiences create an invisible thread that ties my personal story to a larger part of Ireland’s history.

My art practice centers around multimedia including photography, sculpture, and graphic design. I look at themes like control, resilience, and the lasting impact of these institutions on women’s lives. I aim to shine a light on the emotional weight of these histories, challenging the silence that has surrounded them for so long.

My work is about more than just the past—it’s a way to reflect on how these histories still shape society today. Alongside other artists, I hope to feed into the conversation about the injustice of these institutions.