Ciara Maxwell
she/her
Threads that bind us
My practice explores the place of the GAA and LGFA in my rural home village in County Westmeath. It presents a table setting that reflects the rituals of our ladies’ gaelic football team: pre-game breakfasts and after game celebrations with family and friends. The accoutrements on the table describe the undocumented story of our ladies football team; offering a rare glimpse into the building of a community through female amateur sport. The setting acts as an archive of the past, present and future of St Joseph’s Ladies football club, and uses textile objects to show how the team is not built just on players, but on a whole community.
The approach involved in my work comprises a variety of textile processes including free-machine stitching and heat pressing. Digital media including photography, videography and audio are used to document the whole experience and routine of our dressing room.
Details of the table setting
St Joseph's Ladies members with the table setting in their home dressing room in Streamstown, Co. Westmeath.
Setting the table with embroidered placemats and napkins
The Runner, the green and gold braid reflects the strands of the team and community
The Dressing Room; the team and management gather around the table setting.
High Exposure shot of player, the runner and placemat. Photographs by Ken Byrne
Research
Notebook details of drawing page
Process; using free machine stitching to add details to the placemat
Studio space; testing arrangements for the notebook
Collage of drawings and samples created for the project
'Team Talks & Cups of Teas' : an integral ritual for a football team.
Teaching Placements
St Davids CBS, Artane
St Josephs Secondary School, Rochfortbridge
Moate Community School