Maynooth Lab selects artist-in-residence

Martina O’Brien has been chosen as the Artist-in-Residence (A-i-R) for the Co-Creative Lab in Maynooth following a selection process that began in January.

This was announced this week by Kildare County Council Climate Action Team, in collaboration with Kildare Arts Service and the University.

A hugely experienced visual artist, Martina has exhibited both in Ireland and internationally, her work involves engagement with communities, citizen scientists, academics and members of the scientific community.

She has collaborated with experts in climate science and marine ecology on projects such as Arctic Deep, Extreme 24 Marine Expedition in the Arctic Ocean, University of Oslo’s Marine Expedition, Oslofjord and ATU’s Marine Expedition, North-East Atlantic Ocean.

With an interest in earth sciences, she responds to the threats of climate change through a research-led practice that explores links between people, nature and technology, As part of her nine-month residency, Martina will work closely with the project partners, responding to data and processes that emerge from a community-focused collaborative project that will design and test local solutions to climate change in Maynooth.

“Through this residency, I aim to develop artistic work that reflects the shared experiences and ambitions of the community while exploring new methodologies of co-creation,” said Martina.

Tania Banotti, Director of Creative Ireland, stated “We’re looking forward to seeing the outputs of Martina's residency. It's part of a wider network of artists working with local communities all over Ireland this year on climate action. The approach has proven to be a powerful way to engage and mobilise communities to take practical steps to address the climate and nature crisis.” The broader aim of the Co-Creative Lab is to model and assess innovative solutions to climate change that encourage positive behaviour change in a creative, practical and human-centred way.

As the county’s Decarbonising Zone, Maynooth was chosen as the place to base the project, and the Co-Creative Lab will be based in Maynooth’s Community House “Maynooth is a test bed for change in the community, and the Co-Creative Lab provides an inclusive space to the community of and students of to design solutions to challenges using fun to explore the different perspectives,” said Paula O’Rourke, Climate Action Co-ordinator, Kildare County Council.

“I think most people are big kids at heart, I know I am! Let’s have fun.”