D-Light Residency Award 2019

3 Dec

Written By Agata

This year we have two recipients of the 2019 D-Light Studios Residency Award. They are Visual Artist Claire McCluskey and Fashion Designer Sorcha O’Raghallaigh.

Claire McCluskey

Claire McCluskey is a visual artist from Co Monaghan, living in the Ballybough area. Recipient of the D-Light Studio Residency Award 2019, she has recently received an MFA in Digital Art from NCAD, which involved a sustained research project with the National Forensic Mental Health Service.

Claire makes sculptures, drawings and large-scale, intricate installations. Her practice investigates the connections that tether us to the world and each other, through sculpture, installation and collaborative engagement.

Claire is currently developing an exciting collaborative workshop with community-powered organisation 'Uplift'. In 2020 Claire will travel to the Pacific Ocean with the eXXpedition Round the World sailing voyage, to develop new research into ocean pollution.

Sorcha O’Raghallaigh

Sorcha O’Raghallaigh Born in County Offaly, Ireland, where she grew up strongly influenced by her mother’s innate sense of style, Sorcha moved to London to specialise in knitwear at the internationally renowned Central Saint Martins. She interned at both John Galliano in Paris and Diane Von Furstenberg in New York, before graduating in 2010 to critical acclaim.

With a love of handmade craft and ornamental detailing, her designs are grand poetic gestures, imbued with a sense of ceremony. Sorcha blurs the parameters between art and fashion, an approach that has garnered her an elite following; her clothes have been worn by Beyoncé, Kate Moss, Lady Gaga, Kylie Minogue, M.I.A, Grimes, Florence Welch and Kiesza.

Testimonials

Sorcha O’Raghallaigh:

“My six months at D-Light Studios has given me the space, confidence and support to help me relaunch my business. Aisling, Agata and Stacey have provided endless support logistically and mentally. The studio space provided gave me space to make new work, as well as access to the other facilities which helped me create photo shoots, have client meetings as well as host independent workshops. The six months residency has been invaluable to my practice and the relaunch of my business.”

Claire McCluskey:

“I felt so lucky and honoured to be chosen as the recipient of the 2019 D-Light Studios Artist Residency! The timing was absolutely perfect for me, as it coincided with the final months of my MFA studies and provided invaluable space and resources that really helped me to raise the bar in my work. It was also the perfect space for rest and reflection after the intensity of my course, from which to launch into the next stage of my career. Through my involvement with the D-Light Studios community, I have had the chance to develop work at new scales and formats, in addition to forging many exciting new collaborative relationships with other residents. I continue to encounter benefits from those six months, and although my residency is now finished, I feel like I am always welcome to return to engage with the space in new ways and with new ideas.”

Previous Residency Awardees:

In partnership with The North East Inner City Initiative and Dublin City Council

Agata