A woman stands at the edge of a pier. She wilfully jumps. Slowly she falls through water where time catches her breath. What are the memories between the transitional period of jumping and hitting the water when life becomes momentarily suspended? Alive not dead. What memories would be placed to validate existence? Memories to record. Real or perceived? Fact or fiction?
JUMP is a newly commissioned body of work about understanding the rational, social and emotional circumstances constructed around time and memory. The exhibition consists of a series of new paintings by van der Grijn as well as an ambitious film work, written and Directed by the artist and created with collaborators Joseph P. Hunt, Michael Cummins and Ciaran Carty. The film has been selected for the ARFF Amsterdam Film Festival, The WRPN Women’s International Film Festival and The Oakland Short Film Festival 2019. JUMP will be screened in the gallery in a purpose built immersive pod designed by Michael Cummins.
Cléa van der Grijn has been exhibiting to considerable acclaim for over twenty years in public and private art galleries in Ireland, Britain, Italy and the USA. She has undertaken many residencies and commissions and has won numerous awards. Van der Grijn’s work is also part of prestigious private and public art collections, in Ireland, the UK and the USA; including the Office of Public Works, The Arts Council, Carton House, Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Bank, The Gate Theatre, Bord Gáis and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London,
JUMP is a touring exhibition commissioned by Mermaid Arts Centre in partnership with five venues and funded through an Arts Council of Ireland Touring Award.
Mermaid Arts Centre, Wicklow: 1 October - 3 November 2018
Linenhall Arts Centre, Mayo: 24 November 2018 - 5 January 2019
Courthouse Gallery and Studios, Clare: 18 January - 23 February 2019
Solomon Fine Art, Dublin: 7 - 30 March 2019
Hamilton Gallery, Sligo: 12 April - 11 May 2019