Description
This painting is set in the extensive landscape of the Curragh of Kildare. It tells the story of the history of the land as well as the wider concept of the Anthropocene. This painting was part of a further exploration into military action and how it affects the land. Creating an almost fossil-like trace of our existence. This work was created from both primary source images taken by myself in the Curragh, archival photographs from the military camp and folklore stories told about the land and its inhabitants. This painting aims to convey the relationship between humans and the land we live on, particularly in relation to the traces that we will leave behind. This painting also makes an interesting comment on our relationship with the defence forces in Ireland. Even though this image includes depictions of artillery, there is no sense of violence or bloodshed. This was a conscious decision as this is not my relationship with my homeland of the Curragh, and Ireland. This peaceful painting aims to create a sense of pride in one’s homeland and the deep rooted history that sometimes gets forgotten.
