Official Opening by Professor Declan McGonagle, Friday 26 April at 6pm

Denis Roche, with Emma Finucane, Brian Maguire and people using the mental health service in Carlow – Dolmen Studios.

Initiated and Commissioned by Carlow Local Authorities Arts Office (Part of the Percent For Art Commissioning Scheme).

Panchaea is a new socially engaged artwork by Denis Roche, in collaboration with Brian Maguire, Emma Finucane and people using the mental health service in rural Ireland.

This major Per Cent for Art commission by Carlow Local Authority sets out to address the loss of sense of self, social stigma and isolation that can occur for a person living in the community with mental health issues. The artist chose to engage through challenging the notion of a modern health service born out of a utopian vision, by making the gallery a site of production of an alternate imagined world. Participants, artist’s and community, work together to construct a vessel to reach a new hoped for territory.

This exhibition follows from a two year engagement with mental health service users in Carlow County and illustrates the work that has been done and the relationships that continue to be developed as part of this artwork.

Special event

Friday 26 April at 2.30pm in the galleries at VISUAL

In association with this socially engaged artwork Professor Declan McGonagle, NCAD (Chair) will chair a panel discussion between Erik Thys,KU Leuven, Division of Psychiatry; Denis Roche, Artist; Brian Maguire, Artist; Emma Finucane, Artist; Sinead Dowling, Arts Office & Emma Lucy O’Brien, VISUAL Carlow.

Please note places are limited. Book through the VISUAL Box Office on 059 9172400