Artist Statement

Aoife Scott’s practice is deeply rooted in her intimate relationship with the natural world. Being a year-round sea swimmer and mountain runner, Scott responds to the landscapes she traverses. She translates her experiences into abstract lines and marks on canvas, paper, and copper, exploring themes of ecological consciousness and human connection to the living world.

In her recent exhibition Solastalgia through the use of particular materials Scott explored a tension between our connection and disconnection to the natural world and our psychological responses to specific environments and ecosystems. She endeavoured to reconnect with nature by tapping into her inner child through play, as childhood can be a time when we feel most connected to the natural world and experience a sense of uninhibited freedom. While the work celebrated the energy and beauty of wilder places, it also looked at the fragility and collapse of these environments. The prevalent view which regards the natural world as a resource to exploit, consume and pollute, deeply disconnects us from the living world. Scott strives to use colour, energy, material and dissonance in her work to stimulate an important conversation about our responsibilities for personal, collective and planetary well-being. 

Currently, Scott is in the initial phases of researching for a new project that delves into the elevated landscape of West Wicklow. Her focus lies in tracing our Gaelic origins by exploring the small patches of temperate rainforests scattered throughout the region. Through the use of natural pigments and mediums such as paint, drawing, and video, she aims to capture the profound interconnectedness felt in these ancient environments. Ultimately, her goal is to create a body of work that prompts reflection on our origins and the divergent path we've taken since.