Cuimhní – artists respond to archaeological research

The work of local artists Leah Beggs and Kathleen Furey features in Cuimhní, the second art exhibition in the Summer series from Oughterard Courthouse Arts Programme (OCAP).

It will be launched online at www.ocap.ie  this Friday, July 10.

This exhibition was originally planned as part of the Set in Stone project, which was a Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture Small Towns Big Ideas initiative.

The project was based on research carried out by local archaeologist and historian Bill Daly, who traced the history of Oughterard back to Neolithic times.

The OCAP group had planned that all of its Summer 2020 exhibitions would be a response his research – as part of the Galway 2020 project.

Covid-19 means the project has to be deferred until next year but the exhibitions are still going ahead online.

Leah Beggs’ work responds to different weather patterns and explores the importance of landscape for Ireland’s ancient inhabitants.

“Ideas around climatic effects on the landscape are one facet to my paintings, while other more abstract concepts explore an emotive response to the landscape by reminiscing or suggesting a ‘sense’ of place, an atmosphere or a feeling, rather than depicting a particular scene,” she explains.

Kathleen Furey’s work for Cuimhní references history, myth, memory and observation. It explores personal research regarding our ancestors, early flora and fauna and the new research and theories put forward by Bill Daly.

OCAP is a voluntary group which was formed to run a programme of visual art exhibitions in Oughterard Courthouse throughout summer. The building, which ceased operating as a courthouse in 2008 was restored and reopened as an arts and cultural centre in 2014.

The OCAP Programme is supported by Oughterard Courthouse Conservation and Heritage Company and Galway County Council.

For further information on its exhibitions and events, email oughterardcap@gmail.com.