digital exhibition
follow-on project
every gilman recipient is responsible for completeling a follow-on project to help increase interest in international education and awareness of the gilman program's valuable resources.
inspired by my work with the museums, archives, and public history nexus at mount holyoke college, I designed my project as a digital exhibiton. this exhiBITON draws from artwork and objects housed by the five college consortium, the partnership between mount hoyloke college and our neighboring institutions. drawing upon my experiences in ireland and what i learned in my celtic civilization courses, i hope to illustrate both the story-telling power of artwork and the unique opportunities provided by studying abroad with the gilman scholarship.
Myself at the trinity college library, dublin
Traveling Ireland
A Collection of Art and Images from the Five Colleges
no land is richer in history, charm, and nature’s awe than ireland. from the north shore of donegal to county cork’s historic port city, one can experience a wealth of love, loss, and longing. let the slopes of carrauntoohil romance you, and the cliffs of moher grip you. let the ruins and tombs embrace you, and the cities envigorate you. let yourself be found, and ireland just might never let you go.
. . . Arrival
Jack Butler Yeats (1871–1957) was an Irish painter and illustrator, considered one of Ireland's most important 20th-century artists and associated with the Celtic Revival and Irish Expressionism movements.
yeats’s early works were influenced by Impressionism, but yeats later developed his own distinctive style that combined elements of post-impressionism, symbolism, and abstraction.
Alongside painting, he produced numerous illustrations for books and magazines, capturing the spirit of Irish folklore and mythology.
jack b. yeats, Two men in train station, ca. 1900, pencil and ink drawing, 6 x 4 in, Amherst, university museums of contemporary art at umass amherst
Getting Our Bearings
Alan MacWeeney (born 1940) is an Irish photographer known for his documentary work capturing the lives and landscapes of Ireland.
MacWeeney's photography is often characterized by its candid and intimate portrayal of subjects, whether people, animals, or the Irish countryside.
His photographs are revered for their ability to capture the essence of Ireland's landscapes and people, preserving moments in time that reflect the country's rich heritage and changing society.
Alen Macweeney, john cassidy & big dan flynn, gorsebridge, 1967, photograph, 20 x 24 in, Amherst, mead art museum at amherst college
evelyn hofer, dublin sky, 1966, photograph, 10 5/8 x 13 3/8 in, northampton, smith college museum of art
Off To Dublin
Evelyn Hofer (1922–2009) was a German-American photographer known for her masterful portraiture and documentary photography.
Hofer's photography is characterized by its meticulous attention to detail, composition, and the subtle emotional nuances captured in her subjects.
Her work often focused on everyday life and the urban environment, documenting various cities, including New York, Dublin, London, and Florence, with a keen eye for architectural and cultural details. Hofer's photographs not only showcase the physical surroundings but also convey the character and atmosphere of each place.
Out West To Galway . . .
alen macweeney, boy with piebalds, ballinasloe horsefair, galway, 1994, photograph, 22 1/16 x 16 13/16 in, amherst, mead art museum at amherst college
Where The Rain Is Never Far Off
alen macweeney, two ghillies, lough beltra, galway, 1985, photograph, 14 9/16 x 22 in, amherst, mead art museum at amherst college
Tradition Thrives in Connemara
Gerard Dillon (1916–1971) was a prominent Irish artist known for his distinctive and expressive paintings, often depicting scenes of rural life, landscapes, and the people of Ireland. He is associated with the Irish Expressionist movement and is considered a leading figure in 20th-century Irish art.
Dillon's connection to the landscape of the west of Ireland, particularly Connemara, greatly influenced his work. The dramatic coastlines, rugged terrain, and the people of these regions served as enduring subjects for his paintings.
dillon had a great interest in the lives of everyday people, portraying them with empathy and a touch of symbolism.
gerard dillon, boatman at connemara, n.d., oil painting, 23 1/8 x 18 in, amherst, university museum of contemporary art at umass amherst
Leaving The Mainland . . .
For The Stone Walls
Of Inis Mór
alen macweeney, untitled, 1979, photograph, 11 11/16 x 11 5/8 in, amherst, mead art museum at amherst college
And Young Love
On Old Land
alen macweeney, bridesmaids dresses, aran islands, 1985, photograph, 22 1/6 x 14 3/4 in, amherst, mead art museum at amherst college
alexander helwig wyant, scene in county kerry, ireland, ca. 1873, oil painting, 20 x 30 1/8 in, northampton, smith college museum of art
Finally, Into The Mountains
Alexander Helwig Wyant (1836–1892) was an American landscape painter known for his atmospheric and tonal depictions of the natural world. He was part of the Hudson River School, a group of 19th-century American artists, focused on capturing the beauty and grandeur of the land.
Wyant's paintings are characterized by their moody and contemplative qualities. He was particularly skilled at capturing the effects of light, atmosphere, and weather in his landscapes. His works often feature serene and tranquil scenes, evoking a sense of awe and reverence for the natural world.
A Landscape Of Bog
Rockwell Kent (1882–1971) was an American artist, illustrator, writer, and political activist. known for his versatility, kent worked in various mediums, including painting, illustration, printmaking, and writing. Kent's art often depicted the natural world and the human experience, reflecting both his love for nature and his social and political beliefs.
Kent’s landscapes and seascapes showcased his affinity for remote and rugged locations, and his personal travels greatly influenced his artistic vision.
kent’s paintings are characterized by strong compositions, bold colors, and a sense of isolation and contemplation.
rockwell kent, dan ward's cottage (ireland), 1926-1927, oil painting, 28 1/4 x 34 1/16 in, amherst, mead art museum at amhert college
unknown, muckross abbazia killarney, 19th centiry, photograph, 4 3/8 x 6 5/8 in, northampton, smith college museum of art
The Past Is Never Far Away
founded in 1448 by Donal McCarthy Mor, a chieftain of the local MacCarthy clan, The muckross abbey was established as a Franciscan friary and served as a place of worship, learning, and burial for centuries.
The abbey features a blend of architectural styles, including elements of Gothic and Romanesque design. The ruins of the abbey include a central courtyard, a tower, a cloister, and a church.
Muckross Abbey stands as a testament to Ireland's past, reflecting the country's historical and cultural evolution.
A Final Farwell From Killarney . . .
unknown, old bridge lakes of killarney: 44, 19th centiry, photograph, 4 3/8 x 7 9/16 in, northampton, smith college museum of art