Artist: Joanna Hopkins.
In 1991, Claggan Island, Oileann Cloigeann, was awarded Island status. Marram grass –also known as Bent grass - was planted along the Claggan coast to help slow dune erosion and re-enforce the islands access route. Using the Marram Grass planting that resulted as a direct consequence of this as a starting point, Hopkins set out to create a socially engaged project using the Marram grass as a focus for discussion, interaction and exploration with the local people of Claggan.
A handmade paper was created using the local Marram Grass, made with members of the public and local people. Public Marram grass planting events were organized, to help replenish the Marram grass cut for the paper making, and to re enforce sand dunes. The handmade paper was incorporated into a sculptural sand fence installation on the dunes leading to Claggan, which acts as a small scale demonstration of slowing dune erosion on the Islands main access route onto the island, and to highlight how limited access is an ongoing problem for each of the ten people currently living on the island.
A video documenting the process of the project, with narration by the local people discussing daily life and their restricted access into and out of the Island accompanies the project.
The sculptural sand fence installation is located on the left hand side of the road leading onto Claggan Island.
Visit the project website for more information: www.northmayoarttrail.com/about,
Artist website: www.joannahopkins.com