Lucy McKenna In Perpetuity

Lucy McKenna's work is concerned with the observation and constant structuring/restructuring of information systems that attempt to explain the universe and our place in it. Through various mediums she traces different forms of data extraction, collection and communication developed by humans to understand our existence; including methods of scientific experiment, invention of technology, intuitive belief, or myth. Using visual art more as a tool of data distillation and collection rather than solely expression, her works seek to unfold the information hidden in those spaces where the analytic and the intuitive concur. Her practice is a multidisciplinary one consisting of drawing, photography, film, installation, and sculptural works.

In Perpetuity, is a work in progress that describes a language for communication with extra-solar civilisations. At its beginning is a consideration of the particle-wave phenomenon in quantum physics, where particles behave differently when they ‘know’ they are being observed. In Perpetuity considers a language that may behave differently when being observed by multiple observers. This work is an alphabet as a visual vehicle for meaning and mode of transferring information. It considers the functionality of how a new alphabet might appear under certain conditions and travel vast times and distances to transfer information, rather than what the information might be in itself.

Lucy McKenna studied Textiles at NCAD. Exhibitions include Astronomical Mashup, the Cube Space, The LAB, Dublin; Periodical Review #5, Pallas Projects/NCAD Gallery, Dublin; Process Space, VISUAL Carlow; The Lacuna In Parallax, Source Arts Centre, Tipperary; Under The Rug, Iona College NY; The Darker Wood, GalleryWest, Toronto; Kilkenny Arts Festival; Convergence III, With Space Gallery, Beijing; Sanctioned Array, White Box Gallery, NY. Awards include Irish Arts Council Project Award (2012) and Culture Ireland (2013).

Residencies include ISCP New York (2017), The Artist Observatory - Catalyst Arts & Armagh Observatory (2016), Facebook AIR Program (2015), The Good Hatchery (2014), Kilkenny Arts Office (2011), Artscape Toronto (2010), NES Iceland (2009) & Vermont Studio Center (2008). Studio member of Temple Bar Gallery + Studios (2014-2018).

Temple Bar Gallery + Studios’ Atrium connects the public gallery to the individual artists’ private working spaces. Current TBG+S studio artists are invited to use the Atrium to test experimental work or exhibit ideas and artworks in progress.