Workshop: Shimenawa, Threshold to the Sacred

Booking essential as spaces are limited. Confirmation of attendance will be requested closer to the time.

Explore the relationship between thresholds and the sacred, through the lens of the shimenawa. Shimenawa is a traditional sacred Japanese rope often made from rice straw. Shimenawa can be seen at shinto shrines in Japan and are commonly made by Japanese people to use as New Year's decorations. Participants will learn how to make cords and rope while examining the role of thresholds and sacred objects in ritual practice.

Emily Waszak’s textile and assemblage works are informed by rituals of her Japanese cultural heritage, experiences of grief and the landscape of her home in Ireland. Using both ancient and contemporary weaving techniques, alongside the collection and display of found materials and other hand-made objects, Waszak combines processes that transcend time and place to find meaning in loss and understand how to access otherworldliness.

Emily Waszak was born in North Carolina, United States, and works between Dublin and Donegal. Recent solo exhibitions include Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny (2025); Pallas Projects, Dublin (2024); TU Dublin (2023).

This is an adult workshop. No experience required just a curiosity about contemporary art.

Event location Information: This event will be held in a ground floor space, and entrance is through the street-facing gallery. There is a small step into the building. The building is wheelchair accessible. For further accessibility information please contact Learning + Public Engagement Curator Órla Goodwin.