Art in the Park
returns to Inishowen in May
28.04.25
ARTLINK is pleased to
announce the return of Art in the Park IV, 'The
Winnowing Basket: Art, Loot and The Commons',
transforming Inishowen’s beloved parks into open air
galleries this May.
This year’s exhibition promises to be the most ambitious
yet, with thought-provoking installations, performances,
and workshops across three stunning locations – Swan
Park in Buncrana, The Bath Green in Moville and Barrack
Hill Community Park in Carndonagh.
Curated by Declan Sheehan, the new exhibition invites
audiences to engage with contemporary art in communal
spaces, uncovering hidden histories and reimagining
public landscapes. |
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Lisa Collomb's woven
installation at Bath Green, Moville. |
Why ‘The Winnowing
Basket’?
The title draws from the farming tool used to separate
grain from chaff – symbolising how we sift history,
discard the unnecessary, and reclaim what nourishes us.
The outdoor exhibition digs into colonial legacies,
contested ownership, and the power of public space,
asking: Who decides what’s private, what’s shared?
Key Themes & Context:
• The word "loot" entered English during British
colonial rule, tied to the extraction of wealth from
India – a theme echoed in these parks.
• Swan Park: Gifted by Harry Swan, whose private
antiquities collection (now in the National Museum)
inspires artistic reinterpretation.
• The Bath Green: A colonial bequest from the Montgomery
family, linked to British rule in India.
• Global Connections: Inishowen figures like Frederick
Young (who introduced potatoes to the Himalayas) and
Charles O’Donnell (who critiqued British rule in India)
tie local history to empire. |
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Bbeyond: A live art
performance at Swan Park, Buncrana. |
Seven artists will
present works that challenge, inspire and connect:
• Bbeyond: A live art performance at Swan Park.
• Denis Buckley’s Loss Movement in 3 Parts: A film and
performance on displacement, Barrack Hill Park.
• Marianna Bruno’s Walking by the Ancestors:
Illustrations inspired by Swan’s collection (Swan Park,
all May).
• Lisa Collomb’s Bounded Strands A woven installation
using recycled Indian sari silk (Bath Green).
• Sue Morris's Commons: A triptych with companion pieces
across the three sites which connects British imperial
history in India and Ireland with the artist's personal
family ties to Punjab, while referencing traditional
Gaelic communal land practices.
• Elaine Garde’s The Elephant in the Room: A playful
"loot" of golden coins in Swan Park.
• Kathleen O’Hara Farren’s Flax to Thatch & Linen: A
craft demonstration linking land and tradition (Bath
Green).
Curator of Art in the Park IV, Declan Sheehan said:
“We’re delighted to be shaking things up this year –
quite literally! The Winnowing Basket is all about
sifting through history, questioning what we keep and
what we let go. These three amazing parks hold layers of
stories – colonial legacies, local folklore, and
personal memories. This year’s artists have created
wonderful pieces that spark conversation, and we can’t
wait for people to experience them in these beautiful,
shared spaces.” |
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Flax from the Field -
Kathleen O’Hara Farren and Brian Lafferty. |
Bigger, bolder, and more
interactive
Building on past successes, Art in the Park IV expands
with more installations, performances, and hands-on
events. Artlink Project Coordinators, Rebecca Strain and
Martha McCulloch, are excited about this year’s bigger
and bolder programme: “Through this year’s wide-ranging
artworks, The Winnowing Basket is inviting visitors to
reconsider what stories our public spaces preserve or
overlook, and how art can help us reimagine our shared
heritage” said Rebecca. “This year, we’ve added even
more ways to get involved, from folklore hunts to
sun-printing workshops. It’s about making art
accessible, playful, and part of everyday life.”
Martha adds: “The response from the community over the
years to Art in the Park has been really incredible.
People love seeing their local parks transformed.
Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a family, or someone
just out for a walk, there’ll be something to surprise
and delight everyone this year. Importantly, our parks
are often gifts – but gifts with complex histories” says
Martha. “Art lets us question, reimagine, and celebrate
them anew.”
Highlights not to miss
• An Uncommon Tour of Inishowen at 2pm on Saturday 3rd
May - Starting at Swan Park, Buncrana, a guided journey
with Tatter Jack’s Tours across all three sites with
artists and curator.
• Folklore Creature Hunt is a family-friendly adventure
with Marianna Bruno at 11am on Sunday 4th May at The
Angling Centre, Swan Park, Buncrana.
• Flax to Thatch & Linen: Kathleen O’Hara Farren and
Brian Lafferty revive ancient crafts from 1pm to 4pm on
Monday 5th May at Bath Green, Moville.
• Sun Printing Workshops at 11am on Saturday 10th May at
Barrack Hill Park, Carndonagh.
• Bbeyond: A live collective art performance at 1pm on
Saturday 24th May in Swan Park, Buncrana.
• Performance & Film Screening of Loss Movement in 3
parts: A powerful film and performance premier shot in
Inishowen at 8pm on Saturday 31st May in Barrack Hill
Park, Carndonagh.
Join the celebration
• All events are free, but booking is essential for
workshops and tours.
• Book your free ticket at
www.ticketsource.com
• For more info visit
www.artlink.ie
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