“For me the sea is a source of energy, without borders, limits or customs, it is a metaphor of existence, of the human condition. My objective is to give the viewer an appreciation of the ocean whilst also considering the fragility of the ocean’s eco system. It is also important to me that the viewer recognise their own stories through oblique suggestions of symbolism”.
Aisling Roche is Visual Artist and Educator who graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University in 1990 with a master’s degree in 3D Design, Ceramics. Aisling was born in Dublin and now lives and works in Spain, Baltimore, West Cork. She works predominantly in Ceramics, Paint and Photography.
Aisling’s work is inspired by the sea in particular Lough Hyne, where she swims regularly. Her objective is to give the viewer an appreciation of the ocean whilst also considering the fragility of the ocean’s eco system.
Aisling has exhibited widely over the last 40 years including the RHA, Dublin, Vanguard Gallery, Cork and Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre. Aisling has completed numerous public and private art commissions such as Emerge (2000) a large multi-figurative Ceramic piece for Southwest Fisheries and The Famine Wave (1999) a relief panel depicted the tsunami of emigration that was caused the Irish Famine, St Louis High School, Dublin. Aisling’s work is held in many public collections including St Vincent Hospital, Dublin, Wigan and Leigh borough council, Greater Manchester, Radionics Dublin and Pfizers Cork and in private collections nationally as well as in America, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Australia. Aisling has received corporate client awards and public awards and her work has been supported by the Arts Council /An Chomhairle Ealaíon, The National Sculpture Factory, Cork and Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre.
aisligroche@hotmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/aislinnroche/
The ocean has been part of Aisling’s life from first memory. Summer days spent immersed in the water, cultivated her love of the sea. More recently underwater landscapes have become integral to Aisling’s work work. As a regular sea swimmer who frequently uses a snorkel to swim Aisling has a distinctive visual perspective.
Her work represent the memories, dreams and that other world she enters when swimming. The treasures that lie beneath. Personal narratives, mythologies, artefacts, treasures and sealife known and unknown, are central to Aisling’s work.
Essentially elemental, Aisling’s work incorporates earth, air, metal, fire and water, the first four elements are integral to making of the forms the fifth to inspiration. Being involved in the construction of the work, allows “ideas to evolve, whilst going through the process, recognition allows the unconscious to exert itself”.
“The ceramic shell like pieces float and wave before our eyes, barely held by strings of seaweed, beckoning us into the watery darkness that seams flecked with tiny golden points of light………. These are works that are seductive, enchanting and meditative. Passing land-dwellers beware, or, better still, be ready to enter into their watery world.”
Paddy Bushe 2023
EXHIBITIONS
2024 Le Salon Du Kerry in Cork city, Crane Visual, Cork
2023 Winter Exhibition, Lavit Gallery, Wandsford Quay, Cork.
Place in Motion, Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen.
Tides, (Solo Show), Grilse, Gallery Killorglan, Co. Kerry
Land, 10 Artists, Grilse, Gallery Killorglan, Co. Kerry
Preamble, Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen, Co. Cork.
Reimagined, Gallery Asna, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
West Cork Creates, Cnoc Bui, Union Hall, West Cork.
Seascapes, (solo show), Tramore Road Campus, Cork College of FET
Members and Friends, Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen
2022 Tonnta (Waves), Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen, Co. Cork
Members and Friends, Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen
2021 Standstill, Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen, Co. Cork.
Evanesent, Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen, Co. Cork.
Members and Friends, Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen.
2020 Traces, Yellow Door, Baltimore, Co. Cork
Outdraw, Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen, Co. Cork
Members and Friends, Uillinn, WCAC, Skibbereen, Co. Cork
2019 West Cork Artists Summer Showcase, Uillinn, WCAC, Skibbereen.
Members and Friends, Uillinn, WCAC, Skibbereen, Co. Cork
2014 Members Show, West Cork Arts Centre
2012 Museum of Miniature, North Street, Skibbereen, Cork
2010 Lace, (2 person show), She Shells Studio, Baltimore, Cork
2009 Mystery, (2 person show), She Shells Studio, Baltimore, Cork
2005 West, (2 person show), West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen, Cork.
Summer Collection, Millcove Gallery, Co. Cork.
2001 Showcase, Witchcraft gallery, Dublin.
2000 Sea, solo show, West Cork Arts Centre, Co. Cork.
Transitions, WCAC, Skibbereen, Co. Cork
1997 Christmas Showcase, Kent Gallery, Kinsale, Cork.
Art Trail, National Sculpture Factory, Cork.
Making Sense, MTU, Cork .
Showcase, Crawford Gallery, Cork.
R.H.A. 167th Annual Exhibition, Gallagher Gallery, Dublin.
1996 Struggle, solo show, Vanguard Gallery, Cork.
R.H.A 166th Annual Exhibition, Gallagher Gallery, Dublin.
Artforms, Trist Anns’ Gallery, Dundalk, Co. Louth.
Art Trail, National Sculpture Factory, Cork.
1995 New Figurative Works, Keane-on-Ceramics.
1994 Visionfest, Liverpool.
1993 Lament, Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff.
1992 Making Space, Wigan International Arts Festival.
Ohón, West Wharf Gallery, Cardiff.
1991 Ochón, 3.D. Gallery, Bristol.
Christmas Exhibition, S.A.C.C. Studios, Cardiff.
1990 Throw Pots, Smiths Gallery, London.
Throw Pots, Howard Gardens Gallery Cardiff.
Bones, Sculptors Society of Ireland, Dublin.
1989 Death & Resurrection, N.C.A.D., Kildare St. Dublin.
1987 Bones and Ballet Dancers, Gres de Souspierre Gallery, La Drome, France.
RESIDENCIES
2024 UILLINN, West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen, Co. Cork
2019 UILLINN, West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen, Co. Cork
1997-99 NATIONAL SCULPTURE FACTORY, Albert Road, Cork.
1995-96 ARTS COUNCIL funded, St Louis High School, Rathmines, Dublin.
MEMEBERSHIP
Visual Artists Ireland
National Sculpture Factory
Design and Crafts Council of Ireland
Lavit Gallery, Cork Artists Society
Cork Potters and Ceramic Artists
Seabed Sanctuary Collective
Lough Hyne Lappers
Amnesty International