"5th Wheel Element Project" by Kathy O'Leary
http://pallasprojects.org/index.php/project/kathy-oleary5th-wheel-element-project
Review by Susan Hobbs Edwards
Pallas Projects Studios
August, 2013
One approaches the entry way of the studio building to a door and walks
up a ramp embedded with 5 wheels and a simply drawn circle in the
cement. There is an immediate awareness of entering a new perspective of
living. In fact, Ms. O’Leary had the ramp put in at her request to
enable her easier access to her own exhibition. Not only does she
actively engage others to be part of her perspective, she is always
creating new methods and pathways for this to be expanded for herself.
Those embedded wheels are also found fixated on a wall, meshing and
interacting much as she hopes she will enable participation and
inclusion of a reality she lives and practices. Within the space of her
exhibition are a multitude of holistic symbols centred in the mystical
and physical realities of life. The circular objects of the wheel are
synthetic ready-made, used in the construction of cement reinforcement
structures. They are a physical and symbolic reminder of the strength
and support the human body needs to function in our living spaces. Her
documentation, digital photography prints and installations give images of human obstacles and humour to meet those
challenges. The audio and visual work of Clogging Cogs give a metaphor
of transformation and change.
The most symbolic part of her exhibition is the title itself… “The 5th
Wheel Element.” Elements are those basic parts of the Universe that
encompass all living entities; wind, water, earth and fire. For
thousands of years, the 5th element has been Spirit. It is the breath of
Life and the manifestation of the other four elements. How fitting that
an art work and practice which helps to question the perception of
normality is informed from a most basic concept of Spirit.
Susan Hobbs Edwards.
Susan is an artist, curator and writer. She is currently studying her Master Degree, Art in The Contemporary World at NCAD, http://www.acw.ie/
