DOCUMENTING THE SCHOOL OF ART: CRAWFORD ART GALLERY
Supporting the Exploration of Artist Orla O'Byrne
In October 2021, Drawbridge facilitated an exciting two-week residency for drawing artist Orla O'Byrne through the Connect le Cheile Arts Project Funding (MTU TLU/Anseo).
The residency took place within the Crawford Art Gallery, formerly known as The School of Art, a space which has long fascinated Orla. Due to Orla's intimate connection with her materials and their qualities, Orla used her time in CAG to physically explore the non-public spaces of the gallery and to engage in conversations with past-pupils of the Crawford School of Art. The timing of this project was significant as CAG is currently in the process of their renovation project - a process which undoubtedly exposes its previous function as a school of art.
Orla O'Byrne is now a graduate of the MTU MA: Art and Process course. Through a process of discovery, her end of year work was inspired by an old school photography slide found within the walls of the Crawford Art Gallery which manifested itself into being through drawing and intense observation.
Orla's research and investigation is still on-going, however Orla has documented the residency experience to date through a series of photographs:
Images by: Orla O'Byrne
More drawing updates on this project are to come - you can keep up to date through our website and Instagram account https://instagram.com/drawbridge_ccad
Special thank you to the MTU TLU/ AnSeo Combined Funding Call, Artist Orla O'Byrne and Crawford Art Gallery for making this project possible.