Helen Brayden

NCAD - Print

Project Statement:

Thin Places
In my practice, I delve into the intersection of the ancient Celtic belief systems, Thin Places and the dilapidated sites where urban landscapes meet rural landscapes known as Edgelands, unveiling a world where the ethereal and the tangible coalesce.

Inspired by both the old Celtic concept of ‘Thin Places’, locales where the boundary between our reality and the otherworld is permeable and the enigmatic landscapes of Edgelands. My work seeks to capture the elusive essence of these mystical thresholds and transport the viewers to a realm where the boundaries between the tangible and intangible are blurred and the veil has fallen between two worlds.

I explore the haunting allure of Edgelands, those forgotten spaces on the outskirts of bustling cities. Abandoned, overlooked, and left to the hands of time and nature, these sites carry an eerie quality that mirrors the indescribable mystique of Thin Places, both hallowed and hollowed in one. The quiet desolation of these Edgelands is reminiscent of the silence that pervades the thin places, creating a parallel narrative between the ancient and the contemporary.

 Through photography, screen print and a music piece, titled “Teach Duinn” made in collaboration with Charlie Danneels, I aim to guide the viewer on an emotional journey through these immersive environments. By engaging all the senses, I aim to create a multisensory experience that explores the intersection of the physical and the ethereal, inviting viewers to contemplate the interconnectedness of the seen and unseen.

Artist Bio:

My name is Helen Brayden, and I am a multimedia artist based in Dublin, Ireland. I work predominantly in analog photography, pinhole photography, screen printing, and digital manipulation, mediums that allow me to explore the parallels between Irelands edgelands and thin places.

Growing up immersed in both Irish and Breton Celtic traditions and playing traditional Irish instruments, I've always felt a strong connection to my heritage. This has guided me throughout the research and creation of my work. I recently completed my Bachelor's degree in printmaking at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. During my studies, I had the opportunity to spend a year at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium, where I expanded my skills in printmaking, ceramics, and life drawing. This was an invaluable experience where I expanded my artistic knowledge and further developed my research.

My research led me to explore Ireland's abandoned edgelands, capture my surroundings through "unconventional" methods of photography and return to my studio to dissect my findings. I have come across some extremely interesting results allowing me to depict these transitional zones which I explore. Translating my photography through various mediums such as silks and engravings I am able to create immersive pieces.

As an emerging artist, I have been fortunate to exhibit my work at the NCAD Degree Show 2024, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp's Annual Drawing Exhibition, and NCAD's "Print Beyond the Material Surface" exhibition, which I also helped organise.