Paula Barrett- Irish Artist

CASADH WORKSHOPS 2005

This project was a collaboration with members of Casadh, a Dublin based organisation providing training for substance misusers, and visual artist Samantha Clarke . During the period of facilitation we provided a number of workshops in a variety of mediums for exploration and discussion. Part of the programme included a number of organised trips to various art galleries and museums in Dublin.

The group chose to develop a project which centred on recreating pieces from a collection of paintings at the National Gallery. The narrative use of painting and photography was discussed by the group, and baring this in mind, each participant chose one painting that they could relate a story in their own lives to, and a modern re-enactment of each painting was made through photography. The poignant and nostalgic images which resulted, each contained a personal meaning for the participants. This project resulted in the group exhibiting a collection of their work, initially at St. Catherines Community Centre, Marrowbone Lane, and then later in the education space of the National Gallery of Ireland.