Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is delighted to present Safe Harbour, an exhibition of works in progress by Róisín White.

Safe Harbour explores our relationship with the sea as a place of leisure and play and the sea’s power, strength and unpredictable nature. Looking specifically at the history of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour and our interactions with the bay, Róisín examines how we must hold both caution and comfort in our minds as we engage with these waters.

Built from the granite quarried from Dalkey, and transported to the coast via The Metals, the Harbour created a safe haven for the boats and ships during wild storms and harsh winters. The Harbour, its piers creating a refuge, function much like a sheltered bay. These enclosures, both man-made and natural, allow us to interact with the sea in ways that feel safe and controlled. The tension in these spaces belongs to our knowledge that the sea can be an incredibly powerful and unforgiving natural force. These spaces of natural embrace become places of refuge for our pastimes and gatherings, for solitary contemplation, and for joyful celebrations. Exploring how a variety of materials can evoke different levels of comfort and security, Róisín creates sculptural forms and imagery that engage with our experiences and memories of Dún Laoghaire Bay.

The exhibition is part of a public art commission funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Public Art Programme.

Róisín White is a visual artist and arts facilitator based in Dublin.  She primarily works with photography, and mixed media sculpture. Róisín holds a BA (Hons) in Photography from DIT, and certificates in Ceramics, Sculpture and Drawing from NCAD.  She is currently an artist in residence in Dún Laoghaire Baths Artist Studios.

Her work often stems from found and archival materials, with an interest in storytelling, both historical and fictional. White has exhibited her work in Ireland and across Europe. Her work is included in the OPW Collection, the Arts Council Collection, as well as private collections.