Islands, a new show from three artists who are members of local collective, The Hare’s Corner, will be opened this Friday night, in Oughterard.

It’s a celebration of Irish islands, as seen through the eyes of Sacha Hutchinson, Hilary Morley and Ger O’Rourke, who are three very different artists.

They look at various islands that they have visited recently, focusing on different aspects of these places, including the surrounding seas, the contours of the landscape, the clarity of the light, the exposure to changing weather, the buildings, stone walls, the people and birds, both native and visiting.

They also examine the sense of isolation to be found on many islands.

“We search for places where we can escape from a life that is ever more connected through screen use,” says Hilary Morley of their fascination with islands.

“The word isolate is from the Latin isolare, which means to make into an island. Is this why we are so drawn to them?” she muses.

In the show, Hilary uses mixed media, paint and charcoal to interpret her experience of the islands she has visited. She has also looked at historic maps to appreciate the shapes and contours of these places. Her paintings, in particular, reflect their open natural spaces.

Sacha Hutchinson’s series of images depict the islands she has visited over the last year, with an emphasis on local birdlife. She also wrote poems on these visits, and the poetry is included in the exhibition.

Mixed-media artist Ger O’Rourke, in her paintings, has focused on dry stone walls, synonymous with the islands’ heritage, where humans and nature have collaborated to survive.

The exhibition will be officially opened at 7pm this Friday at Oughterard Courthouse Gallery by author and journalist, Lorna Siggins.

Islands runs daily from April 19,  to Saturday 26, from 11am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday and 12pm to 5pm on Sundays. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Pictured: Little House, oil on canvas by Ger O’Rourke.