A Mullingar artist wants Westmeath people to help make something memorable from the recession.
Aishling Muller is gathering stories and experiences of all aspects of the downturn in the economy as part of a major artistic project which is looking creatively at how the recession is affecting people in the Midlands, particularly in her home county.
The artwork will involve photography and digital media.
The Collinstown native, who now lives in Mullingar has an enviable record, including an internship at one of the world’s most famous and esteemed photographic agencies, Magnum in New York.
This project is part of a two year MA programme she’s doing at the National College of Art and Design entitled Art in the Digital World. Already she's spoken to some people and some have more positive stories than she anticipated.
“It’s not all negative,” says Aishling, who appreciates that the experience of the recession is very raw and very immediate for people. She’s keen to get in touch with those who would like to share their experience so far and her intention is to use those stories in dramatisations and photographs.
She has visited other counties in the Midlands where she expected to find county towns reflecting the recession in a similar way.
However, she was surprised to find that this is not the case.
Longford seems to be particularly badly struck by the downturn in the construction industry.
“You can see it in the High Street there. There are a lot of businesses closing in Mullingar but it’s not as visible in Tullamore. That’s not what I expected to find.”
Those interested in seeing her work will be encouraged to know that Aishling has been accepted into the emerging artists scheme run by Westmeath County Council and will be exhibiting locally with other artists in the area next month.
Her final exhibition is a year away but in the meanwhile those who’d like to contribute their stories to the project can email [email protected] for more details.
