Yvonne Cullivan
Visual Artist and Educator
The artist wishes to acknowledge the ongoing support of The Arts Council of Ireland.
Creative Schools is a flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme to enable the creative potential of every child. Creative Schools is led by The Arts Council in partnership with the Department of Education and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. It was launched in 2018.
I have been contracted by The Arts Council as a Creative Associate since the programme began. So far I have worked with five schools, primary and secondary, of varying sizes and locations. My role is to assist each school to understand what creativity means in their school community and how it manifests, and to help them to identify their creative strengths and areas for development.
I work inclusively and creatively with the whole school community to curate bespoke projects and activities to meet their needs and wishes. These projects have creative sustainability at their core. They are actions that impact on many different levels; from developing creative autonomy in children and young people, to professional development for teachers. Celebration is also an important part of the journey.
My engagement with every school begins with an inclusive and in-depth exploration of Creativity. I employ physical and virtual participatory activities such as visual art workshops, improvised games, world-cafe sessions, surveys, moving debates, voting systems, Padlet spaces, animated presentations and more, to gather an overall understanding of each school community, including pupils, staff, management and parents.
The appointed voluntary School Coordinator and I work closely during this process. We analyse the findings and dream up bespoke projects and activities that can meet the developmental needs of the school. I bring my expertise as a professional artist, curator, project manager and creative industries ‘insider’ to this process.
Every school journey is different, every school journey is a process. The outcomes are surprising and inspiring.
Preview a wonderful publication made by Tom Meskell documenting the child-led, whole-school, participatory project that we devised together to answer the needs, challenges and wishes of Athenry Boy’s National School.
View a beautiful short video made with and by the children at Eglish National School in response to their work with theatre and dance artist Orlaith Ní Chearra.
The National Neighbourhood is a Dublin City Council Culture Company initiative that aims to build cultural projects with communities, connecting artists, groups, and villages with libraries, museums and creative places across Dublin City.
I was commissioned to work in the Dublin 8 area, alongside Poet Enda Wyley. The National Archives, The National Gallery of Ireland, Marsh’s Library and Dublin Castle served as focal points for information and inspiration as we worked with students from Synge Street C.B.S., Warrenmount Presentation Secondary School and St. Patricks Cathedral Grammer School.
A wonderful collection of maps from the 18th and 19th Centuries at The National Archives prompted me to explore map-making with the students. We used combined processes of walking, photography, drawing, writing, collage, portraiture and digital imaging to create individual personalised portraits of ‘our’ contemporary Dublin 8 area.
Enda and I worked closely with animator Adam Gibney to combine the digitised collages with a flowing line of skyline drawings the students had made from the windows of The National Archives, and with words they had written during sessions with Enda.
View the resulting animation My Place… A Portrait.
View a ‘making of’ video of the project My Place… A Portrait.
The artworks were disseminated through large-scale posters on bus shelters across the Dublin 8 area and in Kevin Street Library.
Assisted by Adam, I produced a short looped animation in response to the process. Enda responded to the project with a series of poems that were combined into a publication with the poems and visual images created by the young people.
The project was celebrated in May 2018 at Smock Alley Theatre with all of the participants. A bespoke bag and series of badges were produced, printed with the imagery and words of the young people.
The artist extends her sincere thanks to the board of Dublin City Council Culture Company, Bernadette Larkin and the South East Area team, Enda Wyley, Tom Quinlan and The National Archives staff, Jenny Papassotiriou at Dublin Castle, the teachers and students of Warrenmount, Synge Street and St. Patrick’s.
A public art project, commissioned by Cavan Arts Office in 2013 under the Per Cent for Art Scheme, and funded by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the National Roads Authority. The commission was particular to Belturbet, Cavan, Ireland.
Drawing on aspects of local history and contemporary culture, and grounded in the physical fabric of the landscape, the resulting eight short films blur the lines of fact and fiction, reality and the imagined, carrying information from peripheral locations, via the airwaves, through the water, and across layers of time.
The films developed in response to a 16-month period of ongoing research and sustained engagement with approximately 50 residents and specialists from the Belturbet area. They can be viewed here.
A long narrative poem, Field Notes, was written by poet Tom Conaty in response to the artist's process and research. Read or download Field Notes here or listen to a recitation by Tom, with accompanying music by his son Finn, here.
In the Current was launched in Belturbet on Culture Night, September 2014, as a large-scale multi-screen installation. A bespoke App was designed by Mobanode, in collaboration with the artist, to disseminate the project. The films, accompanying contextual information and Field Notes are now housed here.
The artist extends her sincere thanks to the residents of Belturbet, in particular those groups and individuals who participated directly in the project, and The Arts Council of Ireland, Cavan County Council Art Office, Keith Walsh of Twopair Films, Brendan Rehill, Tom Conaty, Finn Conaty, Sally O'Dowd, Jimmy Behan and Mobanode for their collaborative contributions.
A public art project, commissioned by Mayo County Council Arts Office in 2012 under the Per Cent for Art Scheme, and funded by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The commission was specific to Cuirt na Ciarraidhe estate, a Clúid Housing Association project, Claremorris, Mayo, Ireland.
This participatory project involved fifteen resident families, of diverse cultures and individual histories, collected in this one physical space through a shared, fundamental need for a home. Totem is a response to the individual households, to the collective residents as a community of place, and to the importance of a secure, safe and permanent home.
"Due to a special combination of a dedicated, thorough, ambitious artist and a community of open, inquisitive, informed and risk-taking residents... Totem is more than a beautiful contemporary sculpture, it is a gift to the residents..."
Gaynor Seville, Public Arts Coordinator, Mayo County Council
View / Download the Project Brochure
The artist was accepted into each home for discussions. Migration, nesting, and rooting emerged as prominent themes. A growing understanding of the residents, and of the surrounding environment, informed the artist's process. The resulting sculptural work, which comprises fifteen stainless steel and resin structures, developed organically and was unanimously agreed upon.
The artist extends her sincere thanks to the residents of Cuirt na Ciarraidhe, and The Arts Council of Ireland, Gaynor Seville of Mayo County Council Arts Office, Clúid Housing Association, Neil McKenzie of Vintage Works and Derek Bowyer of A.S. Composites Ireland.
A public art project, commissioned by Roscommon County Council Arts Office in 2010 under the Per Cent for Art Scheme, and funded by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. The commission was specific to Castlerea, Roscommon, Ireland.
Developed through sustained engagement with a number of groups and individual residents of Castlerea, the central outcome of this project is a publication. It serves as a response to and a reflection of a moment in the social history of Ireland; the demise of rural towns in the wake of the economic downturn. The publication is particular to Castlerea, but indicative of broader economic, social and cultural dynamics.
"Cullivan's work frames moments in time, a place, a space of tangible waiting, making visible what is on the edge of our perception, giving space for voice. This is the moment between forgetting and remembering."
Dr. Anne Byrne, Senior Lecturer, Political Science and Sociology, National University of Ireland Galway
View / download the publication
View / download the project brochure
To order a free copy of the publication, contact the artist.
A number of images from the publication were installed on the exterior walls of buildings throughout Castlerea. These images depict venues beyond the margins of the main streets, interior spaces or specific activities relating to groups who participated in the project. Their positioning is in direct juxtaposition to unused commercial premises within the town.
The artist extends her sincere thanks to the people of Castlerea, particularly those groups and individuals who participated directly in the project, and The Arts Council of Ireland, Philip Delamare of Roscommon County Council Arts Office, Atelier David Smith and Incision.
A public art project, commissioned by Roscommon County Council Arts Office under the Per Cent for Art Scheme in 2010, and funded by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The commission was specific to Castlerea, Roscommon, Ireland.
This participatory project developed in response to the decline in economic activity and community vibrancy within this rural town. Numerous buildings stood in a state of decay or disuse along the main street. The artist created a pop-up studio for public participation in one such unit. To address the potential of these empty spaces for positive projection and community action, she engaged in discussion and visual re-imagining with a number of groups and individuals. Ideas were recorded in written and visual form and collated as a database that was subsequently shared with the wider community.
The Ideas Agency provided valuable research for Meanwhile, a subsequent long-term project in the town.
The artist extends her sincere thanks to the people of Castlerea town for their enthusiasm, trust and generosity, particularly those individuals and groups who participated directly in the project, and The Arts Council of Ireland, Roscommon County Council Arts Office, Trinity Arts, and Niamh White.
A cross-border project initiated by Cavan County Council Arts Office in 2010, funded by the Peace III Programme and managed for the Special E.U. Programmes Body by County Cavan Peace III Peace and Reconciliation Partnership. Specific to the border regions of Cavan, Leitrim Fermanagh, and Monaghan.
The project was lead by Canadian artist Sylvia Grace Borda and aimed to foster an appreciation of cultural identities and geographical histories traversing the Border and to further define them within a broader artistic and technological history.
Eleven selected artists participated in a series of masterclasses in association with Queens University, Belfast, exploring Cartography, Archaeology, Photography and technologies of observation. New artworks were developed in response, collectively spanning video, photography, installation, drawing, sculpture and performance.
Cullivan's work explored physical access to land. The process involved walking, photographic documentation, conversations with local residents, mapping, projection and drawing.
A resulting large-scale drawing, Transparent States, makes reference to contemporary freedom of movement in the border areas in political and social terms. A series of small-scale drawings, Here to Theirs, addresses notions of societal boundaries that are generated through (or due to a lack of) familiarity, access, belonging, communication, and etiquette.
The collective works were exhibited at Leitrim Sculpture Centre, The Bluewall Gallery (Cavan), and a curated show by the artist at a pop-up gallery in Cavan.
The artist wishes to extend her thanks to The Arts Council of Ireland, Cavan County Council Arts Office, Leitrim Sculpture Centre and The Bluewall Gallery.
A programme of free public events showcasing an extensive range of contemporary Visual Art practices to the public. Curated by the artist and funded by Cavan County Council Arts Office, 2010-11.
A number of Visual Art professionals were invited to share insight into their work and impart expertise in their specific areas through talks, professional development sessions, and workshops.
The programme was designed for the Visual Art community, the broader Arts community, and for members of the public with an interest in contemporary Visual Art practices in Ireland. The invited Visual Art professionals work in a variety of media and within a range of areas including studio practice, Arts in Education, Arts in Health, curatorship, collaborative practice, and Public Art. Each has a dynamic approach to their work that is inspiring to discover.
Contributing Visual Art Professionals 2010: John Byrne, Michael Fortune, Niamh O'Connor, Christine Mackey, Jennie Moran, and Oliver Comerford.
Contributing Visual Art Professionals 2011: Andy Parsons, Karen Downey, Helene Hugel, Siobhan Clancy, Aideen Barry, Jole Bartoli, and Ben Geoghegan.
The artist extends her sincere thanks to the presenting artists for their enthusiasm and generosity, and the Arts Council of Ireland, Cavan County Council Arts Office, the Johnston Central Library, Cavan County Museum, and Cavan Town Council.
A year-long Artist-in-Residence at The Ark Cultural Centre for Children, Dublin, in 2007, funded by The Ark, The Arts Council of Ireland, and an anonymous patron.
As The Ark's visual arts programme for 2007, the artist worked closely with the staff, a workshop assistant, a mentor, and an evaluator to devise and deliver workshops with schools and public groups. The engagement was underpinned by a strong ethos of collaboration and an emphasis on dialogue and experimentation. The theme of physicality ran through each successive workshop.
“I found the weekly trip to the Ark to be a magical experience for both the children and I. An element of surprise lay in store as the children’s ideas developed and were valued over the course of time. The direction of Yvonne and her team alongside the wide choice of resources available to the children opened an adventure on so many levels to them which will not cease.” Deirdre Hayes, Teacher, St Mary’s Senior N.S., Clondalkin, Dublin.
View / Download project summary
The residency developed in three parts of equal three-month duration; one-off workshops with groups, artist's studio response, and continuous workshops with four school groups.
Ongoing work was displayed in The Ark throughout the year and served as a tool for discussion and ideas generation with the groups. A final exhibition of selected work from all stages of the residency was displayed during December 2007 and January 2008.
“I thought it was the greatest thing I have ever done in a long long time.” James, Scoil Treasa, Donore Avenue, Dublin.
The artist wishes to extend her thanks to The Arts Council of Ireland, The Ark Cultural Centre for Children, Jole Bortoli, Moya Muldowney, Valerie Bistany and Sarah Finlay. The programme also involved a student volunteer placement programme managed by Create-Ireland for I.A.D.T. (Dún Laoghaire School of Art and Design)
A six-month residency at Leitrim Sculpture Centre, funded by Leitrim Sculpture Centre and Leitrim County Council Arts Office, 2006-07.
This participatory project developed in response to rapid development in rural Ireland. The documentation of abandoned homesteads became the focal point. Rendered obsolete and left to disintegrate, they embodied a symbol of changing times; traditions in decline, communities dispelled, a growing obsession with materialism. The resulting body of work includes video, photography, audio and text, and reflects a moment of transition in Irish culture.
"Cullivan's show provides a worthy, imaginative response to a moment of quiet historical change."
Aiden Dunne, Art Critic, The Irish Times
Following hand-drawn maps and verbal directions received during conversations with groups and individuals, the artist located and documented a number of abandoned homes. The resulting series of photographs reveals a slow disintegration; objects left to warp and mould, peeling layers of paint mingling with rich stains of dampness and moss. In an accompanying video work, seemingly still interiors slowly reveal rich atmospheres; a slight patter of rain against a kitchen sink, the echo of children at play in a field beyond, the flutter of wings as a robin claims territory.
The artist conducted interviews with two local National Schools and an Active Age Association. The conversations spanned lifestyle, religion, politics, economics, property, progress, the future, and community relations. The material manifests as audio and text-based works accompanying the visual works.
The artist extends her sincere thanks to the staff and pupils of Ardvarney and Creivaleagh National Schools and to the members of the Drumkeeran Active Age Group for their enthusiasm and generosity, and The Arts Council of Ireland, Leitrim County Council Arts Office, Leitrim Sculpture Centre, Christine Mackey and John Daly of Lumicreative.
An Artist-in-Residence programme managed by Kids' Own Publishing Partnership Ltd., and funded by The Arts Council of Ireland, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and The European Union INTERREG IIIA programme Ireland/Northern Ireland through the Irish Central Border Area INTERREG IIIA Partnership (ICBAN), 2003-2006.
Involving eleven artists in ten schools over a three year period, this project focused on the linen industry as a shared theme of investigation.
Purchase the publication; Beneath the Surface
Cullivan worked at The Darley N.S. and St. Michael's N.S. in Cootehill, Cavan, over two 16-week blocks. Ongoing dialogue with the teacher and with the children was central to the project's development.
The artist used natural materials and processes such as printmaking, drawing, paper-making, hand-made slides, projection, animation, audio, and installation to explore memory and narrative with the children in relation to the linen industry.
The resulting body of work created by the children included digital photographs and large-scale drawings. In her studio, the artist produced a number of drawings, texts and photographs from collected natural objects in response.
The programme involved a number of creative exchange and evaluation days involving artists, teachers and stakeholders, which informed best practice guidelines for working creatively with young people in educational settings.
Selected works from the residencies were exhibited at The Dock Arts Centre, Leitrim, The Millenium Court Arts Centre, Down, and the Island Arts Centre, Down.
The artist wishes to acknowledge the ongoing support of The Arts Council of Ireland.
