Join Us at The Teahouses for an exhibition by Saidhbhín Gibson: With Inclined Ear
Saturday 10 May until Saturday 14 June
Opening Times: Thursday to Saturday, 11.30am to 5.30pm
Exhibition Opening: Saturday 10 May at 4.30pm, in-conversation at 5.30pm
Dress Code: Wool
Location:
Bateman Quay
Kilkenny
With Inclined Ear is a solo exhibition by artist Saidhbhín Gibson. At the core of the exhibition is the video of the same title accompanied by photographic pieces. The exhibition looks at sheep’s wool and its value, highlighting the disconnect between humans and natural materials.
The video is composed of scenes of a Wicklow Cheviot flock captured over four seasons and spliced with additional footage of wool making processes such as hand carding and spinning, the public artwork Shepherdess Walk Mosaics (2012) by Tessa Hunkin in London, and the Transhumance Festival in Madrid which celebrates traditional sheep droving routes.
The work follows the farm-to-fibre journey of wool, interrogating the commodification of animals and wildlife habitats, both locally and internationally, in terms of tourism and intensive farming. It broadly proposes a less human-centric world that aims for a mutual alliance with the land and animals.
Saidhbhín Gibson is a visual artist from county Kildare. Her work explores the framing of the more-than-human world for, and by, contemporary society. Multifarious methods of production are employed including video, photography, thread-based techniques, hand-made assemblies and drawing.
Beer and Tea Instead of Milk, her solo exhibition of new work, took place at the Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, last year. She presented a new video piece, Feeding the Lions, at Centro d’Artes de Aljustrel, Portugal, last year also. This year she was a delegate at the 5th European Wool Day in Rome.
This exhibition is curated by Rachel Botha.
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Public Programme
- Saturday 10 May: Opening at 4.30pm, in-conversation at 5.30pm. No booking required, free to attend.
- Saturday 17 May: National Drawing Day, Drawing with Sheep, 9.30am to 1.30pm. Booking essential via Eventbrite, tickets €5.
- Saturday 24 May: Wool Research and Weaving Demonstration, Rothe House, 12.30pm to 1.30pm, more information to follow.
- Saturday 24 May: HUDDLE discussion group at the Tea Houses, 3.00pm to 4.30pm, more information to follow but please book via hellohuddle@gmail.com
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National Drawing Day Workshop- Drawing With Sheep
As part of this exhibition we will be celebrating National Drawing Day on Saturday 17 May with a trip to a nearby farm to draw sheep in a field with artist Saidhbhín Gibson. In Saidhbhín’s video scenes of a Wicklow Cheviot flock are captured over four seasons, highlighting the farm-to-fibre journey of wool. This outing aims to look at a less human-centric world that advocates for a mutual alliance with the land and animals.
We will meet in Kilkenny 9.30am (pick-up location to be announced) and get a minibus to take us to a farm (50 mins journey) for a 2 hour facilitated drawing session, then return to Kilkenny before 1.30pm.
We ask participants to bring the following:
- Hardcover notebook
- Drawing pencils
- Appropriate clothing for all weather ie. wellies, hiking boots, rainproof clothing, something waterproof to sit on
- Water
We will bring snacks for the day, but there is a no trace policy. There are bathrooms on site. We will follow up with more information closer to the time.
Tickets are €5 to cover transport. Please book via Eventbrite, there is a limited capacity of 12 participants.
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Wool Research and Weaving Demonstration
Saturday 24 March, 12.30pm to 1.30pm, at Rothe House
Join us for this workshop with textile conservator Alexis Bernstorff in the McDonagh Room in Rothe House, home of John Rothe, a prominent wool merchant and owner of a mill on the river Nore. Rothe House hosts the creation of the fifteenth and final panel “Battles in the Kingdom of Ossory” of the Ros Tapestry. The session will touch upon the history of wool in Ireland and demonstrate simple weaving and tapestry weaving.
“Nature uses only the longest threads to weave her patterns, so each small piece of her fabric reveals the organisation of the entire tapestry.” – Richard Feynman
To book a place visit:
Wool Research and Weaving Demonstration Tickets, Sat, May 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM | Eventbrite
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HUDDLE
Saturday 24 March, 3,00pm to 4.30pm, at the Tea House
We are hosting a HUDDLE, a roving, inclusive event for the discussion around contemporary art and associative narratives. It was devised and is chaired by Saidhbhin Gibson. The project was initiated to facilitate those interested in contemporary art, and supplementary subjects, to come together.
To book your place, or for further information, please emall: hellohuddle@gmail.com.
Reading material will be emailed prior to the session.
Limited Capacity
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For updates and booking please keep an eye out here at the Kilkenny Arts Office and the Tea Houses Instagram.
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The Tea Houses are situated by the River Nore in Kilkenny city centre and have been acquired by Kilkenny Arts Office to host an art programme that encourages a sense of community and active citizenship.
Kindly supported by Kilkenny Arts Office, the Arts Council, Creative Ireland, Kilkenny County Council and Kildare County Council.
