Etaoin Melville
Delving into the unknown. 
2 to 28 September 2024

Studio open on Wednesday and Thursday

During my art residency at Uillinn, I will be delving into the realms of unconscious behaviour, dreams, and myth to further explore the narratives passed down through ancestral lines. I am particularly interested in matrilineal lines, but I'm open to anything that comes up during the residency. Building upon my recent work, which focused on unravelling these inheritances and their impact on our identities and societal roles, I aim to deepen my understanding of how our ancestors influence our individual and collective movements in the world.

I will be researching old cultures worldwide that believe in an underworld, drawing inspiration from their myths and ceremonies to guide me in this exploration. Looking into stories, beliefs, and superstitions related to the afterlife that have been passed down through families. If you have any such stories to share, I invite you to participate in my research through open studio visits or by emailing me. I would really appreciate your help here to broaden my research. 

Inspired by Marina Abramovic's approach to human connection and the need to slow down in our fast-paced world, I will incorporate forms of meditation and nature connection into my residency. Reflecting on the importance of honouring the dead and embracing a slower pace of life, I hope to encourage introspection and foster a deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us.

As I continue to investigate the intersection of matrilineal influences, ancestral beliefs, and the modern societal pressures to move quickly, I aim to create a space for reflection and contemplation. Through this research residency, I seek to not only expand my artistic practice but also contribute to a broader conversation about the value of slowing down, connecting with nature, and living more fulfilled and meaningful lives.

We must go back in order to move forward.

I will be collaborating with Linda Cullen who is a multidisciplinary artist that merges song, theatre and aerial dance. In the Dance studio we will play with ways to represent the underworld, capturing her movement in Film. I am really looking forward to bringing our two art forms together to create this piece, using the Uillinns dance space. 

I am very grateful to Aideen Barry and Paul O'Colmain who will mentor me through the residency, bringing their expertise to the project will enrich the research and be of great support to me in my practice.

Etaoin Melville received a first class honours degree in Visual Art, (DIT, Sherkin Island) specialising in video and installation.

Building on Ana Mendieta's idea of an approach to a practice as a universal energy, I seek to reflect the strength and fragility of life using situationism, abstraction and multilingual performance, video and moving images to express the complex idea of vulnerability. My work manifests across a number of forms of experimental intersectionality; through live performances, collaborations with circus performers, composers and through experimental lens based media.

My research area is focused on the juxtaposition of modern society and ancient culture; our domestic lives, the land and struggle within which we find ourselves. Often I use humour to create art in a state of play and improvisation to bring a spontaneity and lightness to the work.

Linda Cullen studied aerial dance in Europe, specialising in fusing movement, theatre and dance. Her background is in street theatre and performances that engage topics of body image, femininity and ceremony. Linda specialises in aerial/vertical dance.

Instagram: etaoinsart

WCAC acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council and Cork County Council in making these residencies possible.