The natural heritage of Inis Oírr is the theme of Island Life, the first solo exhibition by artist Róisín Doherty, which will open in Galway City’s PorterShed next Wednesday, May 2.

Inis Oírr and its Atlantic waters are home to many threatened and red-listed bird species, as well as marine life, flora and fauna.

For generations, people’ s survival on the island depended on them taking care of the soil and sea.

Róisín is interested in the connection and disconnection between people and nature and, in this show, she deals with the island’s declining traditions and loss of wildlife that coincides with this decline.

Now living in Galway and originally from Cruit Island in North-west Donegal, Róisín recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Creative Practice from ATU Galway.

She has exhibited nationally and internationally, and recently received funding from the Heritage Council to undergo a project on tangible and intangible heritage of Galway’s islands.

Róisín has a multidisciplinary approach to her art practice and, in her installations, she combines drawing, painting, sound and photography along with found objects.Beach combing, sound recording and walking are essential to her work, she explains.

Her intricate and detailed work reflects the deep connection our ancestors once had with the environment.

Island Life, which is curated by artist and curator Hugh Murphy, will be opened by fellow artist and curator Soňa Šmédková on Wednesday, May 7, at 6.30pm in the PorterShed, Market Street, and will run until Friday, May 30.

Pictured: Róisín’s work incorporates drawing, painting, sound and photography along with found objects.