15/03/2026
It's St Patrick's day this week.
For the next 7, days I plan to post an image to celebrate Irish and Northern Irish Artists, Crafts People and designers that have influenced me.
Irishness has been part of my identity that has never been fully solid. Growing up in Northern ireland from a mixed marriage, going to Irish-catholic schools, receiving the all Ireland scholarship, then leaving at 18 to art college in london. It's true, that my foundations are both Irish and Northern Irish.
Now however, for almost half of my life, I've lived elsewhere. In some ways, while living abroad that element of my identity has become more potent. Sometimes questions arise when I feel I need to prove myself. In other ways, other countries and nationalities have definitely shaped me.
Sometimes my nationality feels like sand in an hourglass that I can't grasp.
Today, I'm going to share with you the Artist Dorothy Cross.
An artist that transforms wildlife into precious objects with an extra touch of magic.
Her work makes me think of the wildlife of Achill Island; an island perched on the west coast, along the Atlantic way. A place that again has shaped me deeply, that I'm sure I'll mention again this week.
