Turning Point exhibition at Glór

Artist Martina Cleary will discuss her recent collaborative project with Clare Women’s Network titled Turning Point in Glór this Friday. The final part of the project is currently on display in the Ennis arts venue.
The images in the series mark the third and final part of an extended two-year project begun in 2009, firstly with women from Clare Women’s Network based in Ennis and later through field research at women’s shelters in the Clare-Limerick area.
For the exhibition at Glór, Martina is presenting 12 tableaux images first shown at the RHA Ashford, Dublin, in 2011. In addition, there are 12 contemporary portraits of mothers and daughters, presented in Glór for the first time.
Martina said, “Thematically, this work explores the regenerative potential of mother-daughter relationships, both individually and collectively. My starting point was the ancient Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone, an archetypal account describing abduction, descent into darkness and subsequent escape, regeneration and recovery through the strength of the mother-daughter bond. My decision to use this device to describe an often complex psychological process experienced by victims of abuse, was inspired by real-life responses to the question ‘What was the turning point for you?’
“The individual portraits of contemporary mothers and daughters were created as a counterbalance to the darker undertones of the theme. They bring an ancient story into the present day context, while also offering alternative icons of hope. All subjects pictured in these works are volunteers from Clare Women’s Network and the local community. As the work grew through research and collaboration with individuals primarily from Ennis and County Clare, I feel it is important to bring this work back to the community from which it began, for an exhibition at Glór.” The artist’s talk will take place at 1pm in Glór this Friday.