Snapshot of a Coastal Community exhibition to be held in Dunree

A new exhibition aiming to showcase Inishowen's coastal heritage will be held this weekend.

Over the past couple of months artist Geraldine Timlin, marine heritage educator William McEllhinney and emerging filmmaker Ailis Cross Gorman, in association with Artlink, have been working on 'Snapshot of a Coastal Community’, with young people from the Buncrana area. The projects aim was to link generations through their relationship to the coast.

The project participants looked at how the sea and shore once played a central role in the local economy and community of Inishowen and how this has shaped our culture and identity.

William, who led a field trip to east Inishowen at the outset of the project, said: "I was delighted with the active engagement of the young people as we explored how Inishowen has been affected by the sea and shore through the ages, from the origins of humankind up to the present". 

In the end the project focused around Desertegney, where young people attended creative workshops at Desertegney  Community Center. The young people, along with their elders, were invited to share stories about their relationship to the sea and coast. This was documented by Ailis Cross Gorman who has produced a short film.

"Meanwhile Geraldine Timlin worked with the young people to create sea-themed  haiku, hand-made prints and a currach like sculpture made from from hazel rods and seaweed.

"The project will culminate in an exhibition in the Saldanha Gallery at Fort Dunree. It is hoped that the exhibition will inspire visitors to share their own stories and reminiscences about life in this coastal community. William, Geraldine and Artlink will be there to collect these stories."

The exhibition will take place on February 11-12 in the Saldanha Gallery, Fort Dunree.

For further information on the new solo exhibition email info@artlink.ie or telephone 0838696513 / 0864532428.