Aisling Roche 2026
Nacria

Aisling Roche
Nacria
28 February to 28 March 2026

Studio open to the public on Monday and Tuesday

Aisling Roche’s forthcoming residency at Uillinn offers a nuanced meditation on the sea, articulated through porcelain, photographic print and drawing. Rooted in the artist’s long-standing, embodied engagement with marine environments, the work will draw attention to the ocean as both material presence and conceptual space. Aisling’s forthcoming exhibition Nacria at the grilse Gallery in June will be her focus. With particular emphasis on the North and South Atlantic Gyres and the Gulf Stream. The title Nacria references nacre, or mother-of-pearl, an iridescent substance formed incrementally as a protective response and serves as a guiding metaphor throughout the exhibition.

This residency at Uillinn will continue and expand a body of work that began on Aisling’s first and second residencies at Uillinn and was enriched by her time aboard the Tom Crean Marine Institute research vessel. All experiences allowed her to explore the ocean as a source of inspiration and material investigation. Aisling’s practice is currently centred on material-led experimentation, place-based research, and the exploration of fragility, memory, and transformation within sculptural and mixed-media forms. While she has established a strong thematic direction, she is now at a point where a fresh approach is needed, and a stimulating environment is essential.

This residency will act as a key stage in the production of new work for a solo exhibition at the Grilse Gallery in June 2026, offering focused studio time to deepen experimentation and refine the visual language she has been building.

During Aisling’s time at Uillinn, she aims to translate research and observations gathered in Galway and aboard the Tom Crean into new porcelain works that capture the essence of the marine environment. With particular emphasis on the North and South Atlantic Gyres and the Gulf Stream. Gain confidence in articulating the conceptual grounding of her work, improving material decision-making, and identifying new modes of public presentation. Refine the conceptual clarity of the work, develop prototypes and test pieces in porcelain that will evolve into final exhibition works. Develop a more intentional relationship between research and form within her practice.

Aisling Roche is a West Cork–based visual artist with over 40 years’ experience working at the intersection of ceramics, photography, installation, and marine science. She is Chairperson of Uillinn’s Board, West Cork Arts Centre, and is deeply embedded in the West Cork arts community. Roche is also an Educator and M.A. Graduate of Cardiff M.U..

She has exhibited widely and has completed numerous public and private commissions. Roche has received both corporate and public awards, and her practice has been supported by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, the National Sculpture Factory, and Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre.

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Aisling is a recipient of the Sample-Studios ‘Sample 15’ Artist Bursary. Using this bursary to participate in a mentorship programme which will be continuing with the artist Rachel Parry whilst on residency at Uillinn.

Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre acknowledges the financial support of The Arts Council  / An Chomhairle Ealaíon in making these residencies possible.