Vanessa Donoso López
The rock that hurt you, Was the one that opened a nut
17th April - 23rd May 2026
The Linenhall Arts Centre, Co Mayo
Launch Friday 17th April at 5pm
The way we interact with the soil, clay, rocks and stones beneath us, whether with attention, care, or neglect, shapes our understanding of the world and our place within it.
Through this lens, this installation explores themes of migration, displacement, and cultural identity, asking how these elements, under our feet, can offer grounding in the face of upheaval. The materials in this installation; wild clay, plaster, pigments, bear the marks of transformation. Through the repetitive act of object-making, these forms, simultaneously fragile and enduring, tell stories of resilience, adaptation, and connection that transcend individual journeys, embedding presence and meaning into new environments.
In a world where migrant journeys often oscillate between physical dislocation and virtual connection, the creation and experience of physical objects provides an anchor to the real. These pieces, reminiscent of ancient artefacts or relics, serve as tangible markers of belonging and cultural heritage, bridging the past, present, and highlighting the lasting impact of our actions on future generations.
A reminder that, like a rock that can wound or serve, the choices we make ripple outward, shaping our connection to the natural world and the legacies we leave behind.
