Claire Donohoe

Visual Arts

2021

About the Artist(s)

Claire Donohoe’s work is a visual experience of the natural world in rural Ireland, focusing on the thriving flora and fauna that can be found there. The research for the work involved a continuous study of her outdoor environment, including photographing wildlife, gathering plant samples and locating animal tracks to pick the best location for a motion camera. The works are made up of various layers, collaged together, creating a sense of depth as well as demonstrating the complexity of the environment studied. Some works also physically bring in the research as a layer within the work, such as installing and photographing drawings of animals and plants outside or layering drawings and research images through digital editing. To create the plant layer, she made randomised prints from plants taken directly from the studied environment. The animals are represented in a more graphic and intense way, drawn onto torn scraps of paper, bringing them into focus.

Although she finds issues such as animal extinction, climate change and habitat destruction important it is not something she wants to involve in her work. She wants to convey what she finds so fascinating and beautiful about nature and share that with the viewer, which she finds is a more authentic method of fostering a greater level of appreciation for these living things.

Claire Donohoe works with a variety of media, often combining elements of print, drawing and collage. Inspired by her years growing up in rural Ireland, her work focuses on the natural world. She is particularly interested in closely observing the forms of plants and the activities of animals. Her work is not political. Instead, it is motivated by her fascination with and appreciation of all living things. She has exhibited in IADT student shows such as On Show (Online Exhibition 2021), High Heart (Pallas Projects/Studios, 2021) and Perceived Dimensions (IMMA, 2018)

"Through this commission with The Dock, I plan to continue my research and documentation of Irish wildlife, looking particularly at moths. Visiting new locations, specifically in Leitrim, to broaden and enhance my research. Collaborating and consulting with individuals who are knowledgeable in Irish biodiversity to give insight into my subject matter and further develop my work. I plan to create a small body of work from my findings which will comprise of drawings, and a series of photo images of the drawings installed and photographed outdoors."