National Sculpture Factory commissioned Eimear Walshe to create a new neon public artwork, The Land for the People, presented as part of Cork Midsummer Festival 2021. The Land for the People comprises a temporary neon sculpture which was placed on the front facade of the National Sculpture Factory building, and lit up nightly between the summer and winter solstices – 21st June to 21st December 2021. This new work draws on Eimear’s research in 19th and early 20th century land contestation in Ireland, and its significance in the contemporary era.
Running concurrently with the launch of this neon commission was the launch of an interactive publication based on 19th century political pamphlets created by Eimear as part of this Land for the People commission. The project is a continuation of a theme in Walshe’s work which prompts re-imagining land ownership and land use in Ireland. These publications can be purchased directly from the National Sculpture Factory.
Eimear Walshe is an artist, writer, and educator from Longford. Their practice is based on research in fiscal and sexual economies and histories, working to reconcile the aesthetics, values and tastes of their queer and rural subjectivity in the production of sculpture, publishing, performances, and lectures. Walshe lives and works in county Longford. Recent projects and presentations include a Platform Commission for the 39th EVA International; The Department of Sexual Revolution Studies, Van Abbemuseum / Design Academy Eindhoven (2018); Miraculous Thirst: How to get off in days of deprivation, curated by Daniel Bermingham, Galway Arts Centre (2018); and Separatist Tendencies for The Deviant Programme, Van Abbemuseum (2017).
