An impulsive visit to the west coast of Ireland led to staying overnight in the coastal town of Roundstone, west of Galway. Standing on the edge of small mooring dock overlooking the Atlantic Ocean it was possible to see a group of three islands some 1200 metres away, two accessed by a roadway but the last of which was totally separated from the mainland. Fascinated and inspired by the Irish landscape and its people I find my mind wandering off to notions of chartering a boat to visit the island, spending time there allowing the terrain to permeate into my thoughts and inspire and influence my work. The following day, before leaving to return to England, I noticed an open door underneath a sign proclaiming ‘Artists Studio’. Of course I went inside – its what you do if you are an artist on holiday – and was confronted by several paintings of rich colour and texture. A brief conversation ensued; the artist and I talked of making work, the difference in our gallery and funding systems, the lot of artists in general. Upon leaving I wrote a short message in the visitors book including my email addresses.
Wind forward a few days and I am back in the UK and my curiosity in the island is still aroused. I discover through the net that the island is called Inishlacken and that it has no electricity, roads and only one habitable dwelling with running water and a generator. One search informs me that this property is in fact for sale (price on application), the estate agents site includes some breathtaking photographs of the terrain. The next time I log on to my email there is a message from a name I recognise – it is the artist from Roundstone. Her email contains an invitation to participate in something called The Inishlacken Project. Several artists will spend time on the island to gather inspiration and ideas over a week in June, would I like to be one of them? My excitment is immediate and hastily checking my diary, I realise that, as luck would have it, I have nothing written into the week of the project. Inishlacken here I come!
