New exhibition focused on the contemporary experience of Halloween comes to Limerick
Drawing on his background in printmaking, artist Gary Dempsey creates images through strong contrasts of light and darkness, deep shadows, a restrained palette and minimal detail
AN EXHIBITION exploring Irish folklore, seasonal traditions and the boundary between this world and the otherworld is coming soon to Limerick city.
Created by artist Gary Dempsey, ‘Samhain: Exploring the Thin Time’ will delve into the contemporary experience of Halloween in Ireland, including the folklore, traditions and community practices surrounding the holiday.
The new exhibition will launch at the People’s Museum of Limerick on Thursday, November 5 from 6pm. The opening evening will also feature storytelling by Balor Otherworld.
Drawing on his background in printmaking, Dempsey creates striking images through strong contrasts of light and darkness, deep shadows, a restrained palette and minimal detail. The work evokes Samhain as a “thin time,” when the boundary between this world and the otherworld is thought to become less distinct.
According to the artist, figures hover between the familiar and the supernatural, leaving room for ambiguity and mystery rather than illustrating specific myths or depicting a catalogue of otherworldly beings.
In Dempsey’s home town of Shannon, County Clare, children collect wood and discarded pallets in shopping trolleys, while old armchairs appear in fields awaiting the bonfire. It is his view that these familiar sights reveal how traditions continue to evolve through community participation.
While Samhain has ancient roots, Halloween has helped keep its imagery and traditions alive in the public imagination, carrying elements of the celebration far beyond Ireland.
Along with this, the exhibition explores this connection between past and present, at a time of renewed interest in Irish folklore, mythology and cultural heritage.
Commenting on what led to the one-of-a-kind creation, artist Gary Dempsey said: “The work also has a personal starting point. Becoming a parent prompted me to look more closely at Irish mythology and folklore, and to think about the stories and traditions we pass on to the next generation.”
‘Samhain: Exploring the Thin Time’ will run for two weeks and conclude on November 19 at The People’s Museum of Limerick, located at 2 Pery Square.
The exhibition is available to view at the museum on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm and also on Sundays, from 12pm to 4pm.
For further information on artist Gary Dempsey and his work, click here.