Síofra Egan

‘Press Lightly (Brúigh go Héadrom)’, delves into the intertwining realms of language, the internet, insects, and drones, as swarms, examining their invasive nature and the power dynamics they entail. Central to my practice is an exploration into the nuanced qualities of the Irish language, which serves as a rich foundation for my investigations into identity, translation and power dynamics. Minor languages often contain specialised knowledge, indigenous wisdom and alternative perspectives. By uncovering and honouring these alternate forms of knowledge, intrinsic “Irishisms” are preserved in a society wrought with globalisation.

Through a feminist, sci-fi lens inspired by Donna Haraway, I challenge traditional hierarchies of media and image quality, embracing the complexity and opacity of ‘poor’ quality imagery, paralleling my exploration of a minor language. By blending modern and traditional techniques such as photogrammetry, knitting, drawing, and sculpting, I aim to examine the interplay between digital, linguistic and physical realities, emphasising concealment and the slow violence inherent in a capitalistic existence. Particularly, my exploration of textiles and knitting represents the knotting of language and meaning, unveiling moments of slippage and misrepresentation.

Recently this preoccupation with mistranslation and legibility has led me to explore the dichotomy of presence and absence, exploring the deceptive neutrality of the ‘view from nowhere’ and the violence inherent in aerial perspectives, particularly in the context of modern warfare and internet dynamics.