Little Interview

Over the last number of years, we have interviewed diverse members of the Glucksman community - artists, academics, staff members, guests, audiences and workshop participants. The responses are funny, inspiring, revealing and always a great read.

This month, we hear from Laura Ní Fhlaibhín, whose bio-sculptural installation and live performance an casadh (the turn) has been commissioned by the Glucksman in partnership with Cork Midsummer Festival!

What are you reading? I'm reading 'The Wax Child' by Olga Ravn right now- based on Danish witch trials in the 17th century and told from the perspective of a beeswax doll, molded by hand. I love beeswax and witches so I was immediately intrigued! Sometimes the doll is buried in the soil, sometimes in a coat pocket, sometimes in the armpit and the writing really transports me there, to moist armpits! The reading is made doubly delightful as we are focusing on this in a reading group with some friends.

Favourite museum?
Arklow Maritime Heritage Museum, is a real gem, inspiring that it came into being through the determination of the community and local historians, and feels a testament to their care and love for the town and its proud history of seafaring and fishing. Love the collections of the Arklow geansaì, a knitted jumper specially designed and crafted by and for the town's fisherfolk.

Best performance?
Seeing Lisa O' Neill at Earth Hackney was unbelievably special. She had the whole audience under her spell. She danced and sang her way through the theatre like a magic sprite, ringing her little bells and I wasn't the only one crying.

Most treasured possession? Willow tree saplings from cuttings from a tree that was in my grandparents' garden.

Work(s) of art that inspire you? So many, but I keep coming back to Hieronymous Bosch, nearly always have some A4 prints of wild details from The Garden of Earthly Delights on my studio wall for reference. And Leonora Carrington, I am blown away by her world and like to stare at The Giantess (guardian of the egg).

A lightbulb moment?
Deciding that it was ok to change paths from my first career as a primary teacher, as much as I loved and always will love teaching. Realising that it was somehow possible to be a 'mature student' and jump into art school in my late twenties.

Guilty pleasure? Dunking chocolate into an extra large mug of tea while browsing celeb gossip.

What would you like to be doing right now? Alternating between the sauna on the beach down in Wexford and dipping into the sea!