Brigid Mulligan 29th June - 3rd July
FORMICATION
‘FORMICATION’ is a showcase of new works created by Visual Artist Brigid Mulligan in lockdown. Adapting to a home studio and using accessible material of charcoal and paper Mulligan used the process of drawing to calm a racing mind. The work comprises of a short charcoal animation and charcoal drawings.
Formication is the sensation of something crawling underneath your skin, derived from the Latin word ‘Formica’ which means ant. ‘FORMICATION’ 2021 looks into domestic space while experiencing acute anxiety in isolation. The animation considers the everyday ritual in the tasks taken that attempt to find moments of solace. These moments are quickly flooded with unease and discomfort. The underlying sense of dread that can be misinterpreted in silence.
The process begins with one drawing and no predetermined outcome. The drawing leads the story, by manipulation through erasing and building up of charcoal the story unfolds. There is an implication of humour in the bizarre domestic horror that has been developed through recording sounds within the apartment.
The drawings recently created in isolation on residency in Kerry are a contemplation of a cognitive glitch, how the mind can fill in empty spaces with insidious thoughts. Surrounded with pattern in the pre famine house in Cill Rialiag, the artist experienced ‘Pareidolia’ the human tendency to seek pattern in random information.
BRIGID MULLIGAN | BIO
In 2018 Mulligan gained a Masters-in-creative Practice from CCAM Galway. Mulligan received a First-Class Honours Degree in Fine Art Sculpture from CCAM Galway, in 2009. Her work has been exhibited in group shows in various Museums and Galleries nationwide which include ‘Bring the mind home’, Artlink’s members show, ‘Westival’, Westport Arts festival, ‘In Situ’, 126 Gallery Galway, ‘M:A 18’, Connacht Tribune Gallery, ‘Impressions’ Galway International Arts Festival, ’Printed Matter’, Galway Print Studio and ‘Put a lid on it’ Galway Arts Centre. An orbital member of Engage Studio’s Galway since 2019, in collaboration with Sample studios Cork ‘Chandelier’ 2018 was selected and virtually exhibited in Cahoots: The Space Between 2020.
Awards include Artist in the community R&D award with mentoring from Create Ireland & the Arts Council, Agility award from the Arts Council of Ireland & Artist Support Scheme, Galway County Council 2021. Professional Development Award from the Arts Council Ireland 2020, RHA Foundation in drawing scholarship 2020/21, a monthlong residency in 126 Gallery Galway and Galway city Council’s Tyrone Guthrie Bursary 2019. Residencies for 2021 include Cill Rialaig, Ballinaskelligs, Kerry and two months at Creative Spark Dundalk. Currently on home residency with DAS Studios Belfast developing a digital shrine through sound and animation.