Bernie’s art is out of this world

FINGLAS born artist Bernie Dignam literally looked to the heavens for inspiration when it came to her latest work, which was exhibited at Dunsink Observatory during Science Week earlier this month.

Bernie’s art, created with textiles and using experimental techniques, is a unique interpretation of cosmic images taken by the Hubble Telescope and the 227-year-old observatory was the perfect location for her exhibition.

The idea came after Bernie was commissioned to create a piece based on a Hubble image. She became fascinated with the project and decided to create a body of work based on the surreal photos taken by the world’s most powerful telescope.

Bernie has lived and worked in Connemara for over 16 years and her Hubble images were exhibited in Clifden during the town’s famous arts week.

“It got a really good reception and somebody suggested that it would look great if it was exhibited in an observatory and having grown up in Finglas I immediately thought of Dunsink,

? she said.

Bernie showed the images to Professor Luke Drury, Director of the School of Cosmic Physics, who was more than happy to allow the work to be displayed in Dunsink during Science Week.

Ironically, Professor Drury is one of the directors of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, which is leading the way in developing a more powerful replacement for Hubble.

Displaying her work at Dunsink gave Bernie an enormous sense of pride and personal satisfaction.

“For me it’s really interesting because it’s like a homecoming and I’m exhibiting my work very close to where I grew up,

? she told Northside People.

“It’s really great. I live in Letterfrack near Clifden so it’s a lovely part of the country but funny enough, as a kid in Finglas I felt I was growing up in the country in a way.

“I would wander through the fields as a child exploring the countryside with my friends and we happened upon this genteel building and wondered what it was.

“We discovered it was Dunsink Observatory. Now, 40 odd years later, I am exhibiting my work at the observatory during Science Week.

?

Bernie’s interest in astronomy and cosmic images might be relatively new but she’s certainly no stranger to stars, having grown up with one.

Her brother is Aslan singer Christy Dignam, who officially opened his talented sibling’s exhibition at Dunsink on November 9.

There was also some cosmic music at the opening with Bernie’s pal, musician, Ute Schmidt, performing Light Echo Tune and Light Echo Fantasia – pieces she specially composed for exhibition.