This artist residency will allow me space to develop my language and style in contemporary figurative art. While initiating a new body of work which represents and celebrates diverse Irish community. Growing up in Northern Ireland I have a special interest in ‘equality, reconciliation and inclusion’, and I feel that it’s important to speak to this, in the challenging times we face today.
As I share and explore stories and experiences with an emphasis on hope and bravery, I aim to bring new energy to my drawing through working from a sitter at different stages of my residency, in the development of ambitious larger scale work.
During my residency I will start a new series of large scale figurative & contemporary portraiture drawings. I am currently exploring who I am as an artist, taking in-depth time in a residency, research and experimentation will strengthen my understanding of my artistic form and style.
I aim to develop a series of portraits celebrating multi-cultural Ireland. To engage with the
Creative Learning Programme participants I will have an open invitation for the participants to be photographed for portrait drawing with the potential of being included in this new body of work. Having moved to West Cork myself I am always interested in stories of place & origin, how we integrate together and how our exchanges can support community growth.
Coming from a textile background I am comfortable with exploring new media. I want to explore new approaches in my making. To date my figurative work has mainly been developed from a combination of found photography, I aim to develop my drawing technique working from a sitter, as I understand it creates a completely different energy in a piece. I am curious to see how my current style of a defined black & white drawing with a complement of careful use of colour may evolve while I explore how to represent someone’s essence in a delicate and unique way.
Working in Uillinn’s vibrant space will also give me time to think about a site- specific installation which would complement and lead into this new body of work.
Tyrone born visual artist Sarah Ruttle graduated in Constructed Textiles from DJCAD, University of Dundee, Scotland in 2002. Since moving to West Cork twenty years ago she has established a recognised participatory practice within an Arts and Health context, alongside the development her own arts practice.
In January 2024 Sarah held a significant solo exhibition in Working Artist Studios, Ballydehob sharing a new body of work, which is the first step in the evolution of her solo work. There is an emphasis in her drawing and paper cut work in creating depth and detail through mark-making. Sarah’s new work concentrates on capturing unique moments of humanity, emotion, courage and hope, in figurative works which often feature portraiture.
‘Reflective & Sustainable Practice’ for professional artists.
I am really interested in how practising artists build a sustainable practice with a focus on those working within the participatory arts alongside the development of their solo practice. During my residency I’d like to propose to hold a once-off workshop for professional artists on ‘Reflective & Sustainable Practice’. Through a creative and informal workshop peers will have the space and opportunity to share their experience of growth & sustainability in the arts.
Once-off ‘Arts & Wellbeing’ workshop for Carers
Having developed a recognised participatory practice in the context of Arts & Health through Uillinn’s Arts for Health Partnership Programme I have a real passion for working with people & exploring collaborative making. During this proposed residency I would also like to hold a once-off ‘Arts & Wellbeing’ workshop for Carers both ‘family & professional’ in a figurative arts exploration. This would bring together both my excitement for my own work in creating meaningful art and working with people to explore what it is for them to make art. (Those who wish could be photographed for a residency drawing & again potentially included in the portraiture collection.)
