aBout
STATEMENT
Combining fieldwork with material and philosophical research, I create ephemeral site-specific drawings, installations, and stop-motion animations. My work explores how drawing can map, record, and reveal the intimate relationships between humans and non-humans by documenting the ‘spatialised emotions’ of places and spaces in which we occupy. Through drawing in-situ, I record everyday atmospheres and their specific spatialised emotions, rather than private inner emotions, thus revealing our entanglement with the world.
Atmospheres are more than backgrounds; they profoundly shape our lived experiences. Through drawing, my body acts mediator to record and materialize these intangible atmospheric, spatialised emotions. To document the intangible qualities of atmospheres, my practice has evolved into experimental documentaries. My work draws attention to the pre-reflective and affective dimensions of experience, rooted in the idea that we are always influenced by our surroundings, even if unconsciously.
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. My work engages with broader social, environmental, and cultural contexts, aiming to reconnect us with who we are and where we are in a more holistic manner.
Combining fieldwork with material and philosophical research, I create ephemeral site-specific drawings, installations, and stop-motion animations. My work explores how drawing can map, record, and reveal the intimate relationships between humans and non-humans by documenting the ‘spatialised emotions’ of places and spaces in which we occupy. Through drawing in-situ, I record everyday atmospheres and their specific spatialised emotions, rather than private inner emotions, thus revealing our entanglement with the world.
Atmospheres are more than backgrounds; they profoundly shape our lived experiences. Through drawing, my body acts mediator to record and materialize these intangible atmospheric, spatialised emotions. To document the intangible qualities of atmospheres, my practice has evolved into experimental documentaries. My work draws attention to the pre-reflective and affective dimensions of experience, rooted in the idea that we are always influenced by our surroundings, even if unconsciously.
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. My work engages with broader social, environmental, and cultural contexts, aiming to reconnect us with who we are and where we are in a more holistic manner.
BIOGRAPHY
Kiera O’Toole [b. 1977, Dublin] is a neurodiverse, research-based visual artist and a casual lecturer at the 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 spatial emotions, rather than her private emotions, highlighting our entanglement with the world. In 2023, O'Toole exhibited at the RHA, Onkaf Art Foundation in Mumbai, and Leitrim Sculpture Centre. In 2014, she has been invited to exhibit at prominent galleries such as FRISE in Hamburg, DAS ESSZIMMER in Bonn, both funded by 'ZEITGEIST 24' Culture Ireland, DRAWSPACE in Sydney.
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, Kanu Nayak Foundation in Mumbai, 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 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 and held a studio at The Model, Sligo for seven years.
www.kieraotooleartist.com
CONTACT
EMAIL
[email protected]
INSTAGRAM
https://www.instagram.com/kieraotooleartistresearcher/
VIMEO
https://vimeo.com/kieraotoole
[email protected]
https://www.instagram.com/kieraotooleartistresearcher/
VIMEO
https://vimeo.com/kieraotoole
Studio - The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia, 2013
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STUDIO - Narara, NSW, Australia 2013-2014
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STUDIO - Lissadell House, Sligo, Ireland, 2015
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Studio - The Model Sligo, Ireland 2016- present
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