Mairead Rutter O’Connor

Mairead Rutter O’Connor
Fish Go on Holiday to West Cork
14 to 24 July 2025

Open Studio Thursday, Friday

My work during this residency will explore my love and obsessions with fish, my love for their absurd beauty, mysteriousness, and their overwhelming importance to our lives. I want to advocate for there lives for the wildlife of west cork, and what better way to do this than by making a dance about this. During this residency I will be exploring the parallels between humans and fish, imagining a world where fish live and act as humans.

For this residency, my work will explore the surreal intersection between humans and fish, imagining a world where fish live and act as humans. This concept stems from my deep fascination with marine life—especially the unique species of West Cork—and my growing concern over the ongoing threats of overfishing and environmental degradation in the region.

In creating this piece, I aim to shift perceptions and raise awareness of the absurdity in how we treat marine life. By choreographing a dance that portrays fish as humans—sunbathing, swimming, and even engaging in destructive behaviours—I want to make the audience reflect on the destructive impact of overconsumption and pollution.

Ultimately, I aim to create a performance that entertains while subtly educating about the importance of protecting marine ecosystems. I also hope to build connections with like-minded individuals in West Cork and engage with new audiences who care about the intersection of art and environmental activism.

Mairead Rutter O’Connor is a European dance artist known for her maximalist, playful, and subtly political work. With a deep curiosity for the wild and wonderful, she creates immersive worlds that explore the absurdity of life. Mairead’s choreography combines chance, surrealism, and escapism to engage audiences in thought-provoking, humorous performances. Influenced by her obsessions and a desire for human connection, she approaches dance with a lightness that rejects pretension and embraces the enjoyment of the bizarre. Her work challenges reality, inviting audiences to question and celebrate the strange beauty of the world around them.

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