Orla Barry

Orla Barry presented SPIN SPIN SCHEHERAZADE (2019), an installation which reflected upon the culture of disconnection from the natural environment, drawing on the artist’s own rural background and current occupation running a successful pedigree Lleyn flock alongside her art practice. First presented as part of Els Dietvorst & Orla Barry’s Wintrum Frod exhibition at Mu.ZEE Oostende in July 2019, the work existed in two forms: both as an installation and a performance. In both iterations Orla Barry directs and writes for her longstanding collaborator Einat Tuchman, using storytelling as a means to recount the artists’ personal experiences of returning to her pastoral roots to be reborn as a hybrid farmer-artist.

Orla Barry’s participation formed part of the 39th EVA International Partnership Projects.  

Biography

Orla Barry is both a visual artist and a shepherd. Barry lived in Brussels for sixteen years and now runs a flock of pedigree Lleyn sheep on the coast of rural Wexford. Her artistic practice includes writing, performance, video, and sound installation. Recent performances include Performatik 17; Crawford Art Gallery, Cork; Argos, Brussels; TBG&S, Dublin. Solo exhibitions include Quetzal Art Centre with Rui Chafes, Portugal (2017); Mother’s Tankstation, Dublin (2014); CCB, Museu Bernardo with Rui Chafes, Lisbon (2011); Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin (2006); SMAK, Ghent (2005); Camden Arts Centre, London (2005); W139, Amsterdam (2005); and Argos, Brussels (2002). Barry was awarded the prize of the Palais de Beaux Arts in the Prix de la Jeune Peinture Belge (2003) and was shortlisted for the Glen Dimplex Prize (1999).