Signal is the second project in the ‘Beacon, Signal, Headland’ series, initially created by Artlink as a means of involvement with the Festival of the Peninsual in Inishowen September 2003. The success of the first project, Beacon, held in the exhibition space of the Fort Dunree Military Museum, has led to a development of our collaboration with the Fort Dunree organisation, so that in 200-5 Artlink will occupy this space, a converted military hospital, as a pilot gallery and programme a series of exhibitions and events over a year.
The framework for Signal is the exploration of the experience of a particular land and seascape, through the invoilvement of six invited artist whose work deals with aspects of territory, geography and the notion of the periphery or edge. Although located within the context of the Inishowen peninsula and its community together with the artists’ own practice and concerns, these are also internationally relevant cultural notions, and the exhibition is part of a wider dialogue about site specific practice within the contemporary visual arts.
Artists Harry Kerr, Martha McCulloch and Mhairi Sutherland exhibited photographic and video works in Beacon and maintain that link with artworks made for Signal. For Beacon archaeologist John Cronin produced panels recounting. the history of the camp at Dunree. Mark Hill was closely involved with the preparation for Beacon and will be creating a sculpture for just outside the gallery. Duncan Chapman has created a sound installation from material gathered at, and inspired by Malin Head. Moira McIver will show photographic portraits based on historical recreations of women sailors.
The Loose Cannons will perform a series of traditional songs at the exhibition launch. This group of singers have been gathered together by Eleanor Lamb of Simply Music. Eleanor and Lorna Henry formed part of the original singing group who performed on the headland of Fort Dunree as part of Beacon. Storytelling, oral culture and singing are strong elements of inishowen culture, and the songs which will be performed also relate to the folk history of Moira McIver’s research undertaken for the portraits of women sailors.
The exhibition toured to the Ards Art Centre.
The Loose Cannons singing at the opening of the Signal exhibition at Ards Art Centre, NewtownArds, County Down