What are you made of, Folkestone? is a project that explores the physical materials that combine to make up the town of Folkestone as it is today. Every urban centre develops its own personality and characteristics as it grows over time. A settlement begins in a place with useful natural amenities but it is formed over time by the actions of its inhabitants and events that occur there, both natural and man-made. These people and events leave traces of the past as building blocks for the future.
This project asks Folkestone's inhabitants to share an image of a material that they think is meaningful to the town to be collected and become part of a unique visual library. Perhaps it's from the natural world - rock, water, trees and plants, or from the built environment - the Victorian red bricks, medieval stone, contemporary glass and steel, neon, timber, iron - everything amalgamates giving Folkestone its unique personality and identity.
If you would like to be involved, just take a photo of a material, post it to Instagram and tag it with the hashtag #whatareyoumadeoffolkestone describing the material and why you chose it. By searching the hashtag you will also be able to see what others have chosen and together develop a new way of looking at Folkestone.
Mary was recommended by Niamh Brown, a Creative Producer, from EVA International. Due to the global current circumstances, Mary was unable to physically travel to Folkestone to carry out her Magic Carpets residency this year. Instead, she is learning about & exploring Folkestone in this new way.
BIO:
Mary is an artist whose work investigates humans’ connection with nature through socially-engaged practice, including participation and intervention. She holds a BA in Ceramics and a MA in Social Practice from Limerick School of Art & Design. Current projects include Memory of Water (Creative Europe 2018-2020)
Mary Conroy lives and works in Limerick, Ireland. She is a cross-disciplinary artist who graduated with a BA in Ceramics (2004) and an MA in Social Practice and the Creative Environment (2011) from Limerick School of Art and Design. She works in the medium of clay, ceramics and mixed media sculpture. Her work is a constant exploration of the Biophilia Hypothesis. Mary often works with existing communities of interest to create outdoor or site-specific work using found materials. She works as a freelance educator and workshop facilitator.
Recent solo exhibitions include; Metatrons Cube, Signal Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow 2019; Street Doves, Phoenix Athens Gallery, Athens, Greece; Ofrendas, The Linnenhall, Co Mayo, Ireland, 2018; Site, Ormston House, Limerick, 2018.
Recent residencies and awards include : An Urgent Enquiry, Fingal Public Arts, Dublin, 2019; The Memory of Water; (Project involving 6 residencies in 3 countries over 2 years) through Ormston House, Limerick and Creative Europe, 2018 – 2020; Heinrich Böll Retreat Artist Residency, Achill Island, 2018; Villa Exarchia AIR;, Pheonix Gallery Athens, 2018; Ceramic Artist in Residence, LSAD, Limerick, Ireland, Sept 2016; Arts Office Mobility Grant Limerick County Council, 2018 and 2017;LSAD Drawing Awards winner, LSAD, Ireland, 2017; Scarva Pottery Supplies and Ceramics Ireland Travel Bursary, Ireland 2016.
