“In 1991, Dublin is European City of Culture, yet the Irish government continues to break the European Convention of Human Rights as the Irish state upholds antiquated English laws that criminalise and oppress Irish gay men and lesbians.” So said artist Louise Walsh as her work Outlaws Inlaws appeared in exhibition at Kilmainham Gaol two years before decriminalisation.
Considering this issue of GCN takes as its theme ‘Past, Present and Future,’ it seems serendipitous to be speaking to Louise as she revisits and re-magnifies that vital artwork of almost three decades ago and transforms it into a new work for a new (?) Ireland - Hydra Inlaw The piece is showing as part of Elliptical Affinities - which will be ending its residency in Highlanes Gallery in Drogheda by the time we go to print before touring to Limerick City Gallery of Art where it will remain until March 22. Elliptical Affinities has as its subheading Irish Women Artists and the Politics of the Body, 1984 to Present. It focuses on the conjunction of art and feminism in Ireland and features artists across many disciplines as well as across generations.
Fittingly, Louise’s sculptural contribution also crosses a generation, originating in a piece created during a more turbulent time.