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STATEMENT
My practice and research explore drawing as a means of recording the ‘spatialised feelings’ of everyday public spaces, aiming to enhance our awareness of pathically felt bodily experiences. Drawing upon the theory of atmospheres within new phenomenology, my work explores how the affective and expressive qualities of atmospheres, understood as corporeally felt impulses, can influence the gestural drawing process. Through drawing in-situ, I record everyday atmospheres and their specific 'spatialised feelings', rather than private inner emotions, thus revealing our entanglement with the world. These drawings, termed 'Felt Maps,' serve as records of the phenomenological experiences of a site’s atmosphere such as the streets of New York City, the caves in Sligo, Northwest of Ireland and rural Australia.
Echoing John Muir’s sentiment, “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe,” my work explores the idea that where we are matters; we are always emotionally affected by our world, even if not consciously aware. Through this practice-based approach, the gestural line becomes a form of pathic knowing, revealing dimensions that are more felt than thought. This approach offers a more profound lived experience by encouraging us to sense ourselves pathically within our surroundings. Drawing as a phenomenological act, can provide a meaningful account of what is usually perceived as 'in-situ,' 'background,' 'surroundings,' or 'environment.' By prioritizing the felt body, this method of enquiry extends beyond the traditional five senses, providing a more holistic understanding of the spaces we inhabit and the act of drawing itself.
My practice and research explore drawing as a means of recording the ‘spatialised feelings’ of everyday public spaces, aiming to enhance our awareness of pathically felt bodily experiences. Drawing upon the theory of atmospheres within new phenomenology, my work explores how the affective and expressive qualities of atmospheres, understood as corporeally felt impulses, can influence the gestural drawing process. Through drawing in-situ, I record everyday atmospheres and their specific 'spatialised feelings', rather than private inner emotions, thus revealing our entanglement with the world. These drawings, termed 'Felt Maps,' serve as records of the phenomenological experiences of a site’s atmosphere such as the streets of New York City, the caves in Sligo, Northwest of Ireland and rural Australia.
Echoing John Muir’s sentiment, “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe,” my work explores the idea that where we are matters; we are always emotionally affected by our world, even if not consciously aware. Through this practice-based approach, the gestural line becomes a form of pathic knowing, revealing dimensions that are more felt than thought. This approach offers a more profound lived experience by encouraging us to sense ourselves pathically within our surroundings. Drawing as a phenomenological act, can provide a meaningful account of what is usually perceived as 'in-situ,' 'background,' 'surroundings,' or 'environment.' By prioritizing the felt body, this method of enquiry extends beyond the traditional five senses, providing a more holistic understanding of the spaces we inhabit and the act of drawing itself.
BIOGRAPHY
Kiera O’Toole [b. 1977, Dublin] is a research-based visual artist and a casual lecturer at undergraduate and Master's level at ATU, Sligo. Her practice blends philosophical inquiry with experimental and expanded drawing, including site-specific works, installations, and stop-motion animations. O'Toole's work focuses on documenting everyday atmospheres and their specific 'spatialised feelings' , rather than her private emotions, highlighting our entanglement with the world. In 2023, O'Toole exhibited recently at the RHA, and Leitrim Sculpture Centre. In 2024, she has been invited to exhibit at prominent galleries such as FRISE in Hamburg (GER), DAS ESSZIMMER in Bonn (GER), both funded by 'ZEITGEIST 24' Culture Ireland, and DRAWSPACE, Sydney (AUS).
O'Toole's extensive exhibition record includes shows at the RHA, CCA Derry-Londonderry (NI), University of Newcastle (AUS), National Museum of Australia, Maitland Regional Gallery (AUS), Mount-Kuring Regional Gallery (AUS), Courthouse Arts Centre in Wicklow, Art Walk Porty (SCO), The Model in Sligo, VISUAL Carlow, Highlanes Gallery, DLR Lexicon in Dublin, and Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre. Her residencies have taken place at the Leitrim Sculpture Centre, Tinahely Courthouse Arts Centre, and Sligo Arts Service.
Her publications feature book chapters such as ‘Drawing Wonder’ in "Project Anywhere IV" (University of Melbourne and Parsons School of Art, NY, 2021) and 'Drawing from the Non-Place' in "Body, Space, Place in Collective and Collaborative Drawing: Drawing Conversations II" (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2020). O'Toole has presented at conferences including APD - Architecture, Public Art, Drawing Seminar,
Lisbon Faculty of Fine Arts, Portugal; The Institute of Global Irish Studies at the University of NSW, the National Museum of Australia, Coventry University, and Maynooth University. She has also been a panelist for Bart Lodewijks at The Model and Visual Arts Ireland's Get Together in Dublin.
O’Toole is a professional member of Visual Arts Ireland and the Drawing Research Network (UK), and co-founded the artist collective Drawing deCentered. O’Toole currently resides in Sligo.
CONTACT
EMAIL
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INSTAGRAM
https://www.instagram.com/kieraotooleartistresearcher/
VIMEO
https://vimeo.com/kieraotoole
[email protected]
https://www.instagram.com/kieraotooleartistresearcher/
VIMEO
https://vimeo.com/kieraotoole