DEDICATED IN MEMORY OF MY MUM

This current series of work is inspired by my fascination with standing stones, and stone circles. The myths that surround them, what they symbolise, and what they can tell us about our ancestors. They appear other worldly, somewhat mysterious and yet we coexist with these ancient monuments, as have generations before, they are part of our DNA.

I believe that my own interest was ignited at a very young age (around 7) when I was first introduced  to Stonehenge! Stonehenge was en route to many family holidays in Devon and Cornwall, it was a stop off point, a picnic site, Yes! Those were the days when you could sit amongst, and even ontop of the huge flat stones, before the true significance of these sites were understood, and preservation seemingly wasn’t as important. Lucky for me, as the experience was wholesome, and raw, no preconceptions.

I believe this engagement and interaction with this special site resonated with me at that tender age, even though I didn’t realise quite what I was experiencing, I always felt humbled and privileged to be there. As a family we were drawn back year after year, and my parents both appreciated nature, the environment and monuments, a love of which they nurtured in me.

As with all my work it alternated between the real and the imaginary.

THE ESSENCE OF PLACE BY VICKI O’ DONOGHUE CAN BE VIEWED UPSTAIRS IN THE WATERGATE THEATRE GALLERY UNTIL 26 FEBRUARY.