Covid hit exhibition ‘will be back’ on Spike Island Cork

An exhibition of art work by Cork artist Maria O’Sullivan on Spike Island has ended after the Covid hit year of 2020.  The Cobh artist had done a variety of shows with other artists globally but this was her first solo show.  Her work has previously been on display in Dublin and Cork and the artist has held a residency in Venice, with her work represented by the Agora Gallery, Chelsea, New York.  The exhibition entitled ‘Modern Captivity’ was very much in keeping with the prison island theme and that of 2020’s enforced lockdowns.  “Modern Captivity refers to the various form’s captivity can take; both physical and emotional.  The feeling of entrapment and loneliness can impact us all at times and can often lead to isolation”, said the artist.

The exhibition ran from August and was being enjoyed by visitors to the island right until Ireland’s second lockdown brought visits to a halt.  The artist was glad to be able to exhibit at all given the extraordinary year 2020 has been.  “In the midst of such unusual circumstances I was incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to still exhibit.  There was a time when I didn’t think we would be able to set up at all.  Being an island with only one way on and one way off (by boat) Spike comes with its own challenges, as does the scale of my large works.  I received massive support and help from all the Spike team who arrived early to the pier to help load my artwork onto the boat and make sure it got to the Mitchell Hall safely. This was a process in itself – van, boat, tractor, bus, and lots of hands to carry them up the steps, all the while social distancing and wearing facemasks!  Thankfully, it all ran very smoothly and finally seeing the work in the space made all the effort worthwhile.  I had endless support, organisation, direction, and assistance from Dorota, the Spike Island curator and the Spike team which made the process so much easier and more enjoyable.

Spike Island plans to run frequent exhibitions in its large Mitchell hall space, a former church building that held prisoners and soldiers and was used for dances and riot training.  A programme of Irish artists and craft people is planned over the coming years but 2021 will see them all give way to an extension of the islands ‘Independence’ exhibition’.  2021 will mark 100 years since the War of Independence prison opened on the island, when over 1300 Irish freedom fighters were held on the island.  The extended exhibition will include new artefacts, information boards, audio recordings of former inmates and crafts made by the men.  The island has seen a 52% drop in visitors in 2020 is hoping for a better year in 2021.  Island manager John Crotty said “We were delighted to have an exhibition of the quality of Maria’s work in 2020 and to be able to support a Cork artist.   2021 will be all about the War of Independence prison centenary for us, with a year of events marking out the celebration.  We hope Covid conditions allow for greater visitors numbers to be able to join us in this special year of commemoration and remembrance”. 

For artist Maria O’Sullivan the challenge of finding exhibition space continues into 2021,as despite talks of vaccines uncertainty remains for exhibition spaces.  Maria said “A smaller exhibition of my work will take place in the punishment block on Spike Island where prints of the work will be available to purchase throughout 2021.  I am continuously building on work behind the scenes and have been kept going with commissions for the time being.  I would love to line up another local exhibition next year (Covid dependent) but unfortunately nothing can be confirmed – So for now I will keep my fingers crossed, the virtual exhibition active and when it is allowed I will make private art viewings available”. 

 Spike Island is set to reopen early in 2021 when Covid conditions allow.

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