Thousands of tonnes of fishing ropes are dumped in the world’s seas annually. Hanneke Frenkel who lives on the North Connemara island of Turbot for much of the year has put some of these washed-up ropes to good use, making rugs from them. After a successful exhibition of her Sea Carpets at last year’s Clifden Arts Festival she was invited to take part in the Venice Architecture Biennale, making unique chairs for the Irish pavilion. She and the Festival’s Ethel Feneran tell JUDY MURPHY about going to Venice, via Hy-Brasil.

A project that artist Hanneke Frenkel began on the North Connemara island of Turbot during Covid and which was a big success during last year’s Clifden Arts Festival, is now representing Ireland at the renowned Venice Architecture Biennale.

Had it not been for Covid-19, Hanneke might never have been inspired to create her now-renowned sea carpets.

She and her husband, Stefan, had been on a visit to their holiday home on Turbot, preparing it for their longer summer stay, when Covid broke out in March 2020. They decided to stay there rather than return home to the Netherlands.

Walking around Turbot early in lockdown, Hanneke and Stefan noticed piles of black, blue and orange fishing rope washed ashore. They gathered it, and after initially trying to weave a basket, Hanneke decided to make a rug.

The trained graphic artist brought her skills to the process and was delighted with the results. From then, she began collecting more washed-up ropes of all colours, and in the space of two years, she had woven some 50 rugs from the detritus of the fishing industry.

A friend suggested contacting Clifden Arts Festival about her unique pieces. Its visual arts curator, Ethel Feneran, recognised the value of Hanneke’s creations from an artistic and ecological perspective and invited her to present a show, Sea Carpets, at last September’s event.

Hanneke’s husband, Stefan, suggested having the show on Turbot, which would also showcase the beautiful island. The festival agreed and arranged for boat trips to Turbot.

“It was a community-based event and we are all about community, so we said, ‘let’s embrace it’,” says Ethel.

It was a good call. The boat trips to this unique exhibition in unique surroundings, which included a walking tour of the island, were a sellout and not just among visitors. For many locals, including Ethel, it was their first trip to Turbot and they loved it.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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