HEATHER WATSON

Contemporary Artist

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ABOUT ME

Heather Watson is a conceptual installation artist who has a multidisciplinary approach to her art practice. She incorporates elements of photography, film and textiles when creating her installations. Heather graduated from GMIT in 2019, with a BA in Contemporary Art as well as holding qualifications in Graphic Design, Film Production and Interior design.

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Heather has lived in Ireland for 22 years. Her main body of work thus far has been installations involving textiles and digital media. Heather has worked extensively with both adults and children within the community in a voluntary capacity. Her latest collaboration between the Radius Project, Brothers of Charity, That's Life and ATU(formerly GMIT). The project involved working with over 100 people with intellectual disabilities and their support workers to create a body of work which culminated in an exhibition in Nuns Island Theatre in October 2021.

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A BEE'S WORLD

"Magic Garden – A Bee’s World has brought much magic to That’s Life art makers through lockdown. What a joy it has been for so many people to generate material from home, under Heather’s guidance through zoom sessions and later at face to face workshops. The participant's paintings and photos now gathered into a collective display make for a deeply moving piece of work, given its context and timing. When we were able to get together again, although with some restrictions, That’s Life music makers and prop-makers could produce again what they do best and created a beautiful atmospheric sound track and a large scale honeycomb for this installation. Magic Garden- a bee’s world is a true expression of our collaborative and creative spirit soothed by nature and the arts in very difficult times." - Claude Madec, That's Life.

"Magic Garden – A Bee's World has given me an experience as an artist that I could not have imagined. As a recent graduate of GMIT, I am forever grateful to have been offered this opportunity to collaborate with the That's Life art makers. I have worked with the most delightful group of people. There was so much to learn from their wealth of experience and energetic outlook. The Radius Project, GMIT's community outreach arts program, enables graduates to lead community based art projects. The Radius Project gives artists a valuable boost to getting their fledgling career off to a flying start." Heather Watson, lead artist on A Bee's World.

That's Life - Youtube

This project was made possible through funding from The Arts Council and Culture Ireland. Thank you to Smurfit Kappa for their donation of over 100 sheets of cardboard to construct our giant honeycomb wall. The Nun's Island Theatre was a wonderful and intimate venue to host the exhibition in, with thanks to the management of Galway Arts Centre.

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