PRESS RELEASE

Co Down artist’s new exhibition features at Bounce Arts Festival

Artist Una Walker has taken inspiration from the landscape around her County Down home for her new exhibition at Bounce Arts Festival, Northern Ireland’s leading celebration of artistic diversity and inclusion.

Her latest work, Dreaming of a Village, which runs at the University of Atypical Gallery in Belfast from October 5 to November 24 is a multi-dimensional installation incorporating video, drawings and local stones and delves into research on historical land ownership in her rural home between Strangford and Downpatrick.
Una, who is also an academic was intrigued by the old walls opposite her home and began investigating land records. She discovered that the tree plantation opposite her home had thrived as farmland until at least the 1830’s under numerous tenant farmers and their families.
The exhibition will include drawings inspired by the 1834 Ordnance Survey map and Griffith’s Valuation townland maps that depict farm buildings, land plots and their role in shaping contemporary land ownership.In addition, Una will discuss the inspiration behind her exhibition at the Gallery, located at 119-123 Royal Avenue in Belfast on October 5 from 1pm to 2pm.

Meanwhile the Down Arts Centre will be hosting a drama workshop as part of the festival, with director Jenny Long facilitating a drama workshop in partnership with Dramability, Down Arts Centre’s Theatre Company in residence.

Dramability, a longstanding organisation run entirely by dedicated volunteers is committed to fostering the inclusion of individuals with disabilities within their local community

Run by the University of Atypical, the festival showcases the extraordinary talent and creativity of d/Deaf, Disabled and neurodiverse artists in the UK, Ireland and beyond with a focus on accessibility for all audiences.

Many of the performances and workshops are free or pay what you can, and encompass all aspects of the arts including theatre, dance, comedy, puppetry, visual arts and talks.
Damien Coyle, Chief Executive of University of Atypical, said: “The Bounce Festival has now evolved into one of the largest celebrations of artistic diversity and inclusivity in these islands. We are proud to be bringing it to new venues across Northern Ireland so that more people can enjoy the performances and ideas that these incredible artists have to offer.”

Events will be held not only in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry but also in Omagh, Strabane, Downpatrick, Enniskillen and Cookstown.
The University of Atypical, a disabled-led arts charity, is celebrating its 30th year of supporting and developing the talent of d/Deaf, disabled, and neurodiverse artists and reaching wider audiences through access and inclusion.

The organisation started the Bounce Arts Festival in 2012 as part of the Cultural Olympiad and this year it is supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Department for Communities, Belfast City Council, The Ireland Funds, The National Lottery Communities Fund and The Santander Foundation.
Patricia Lavery, Head of Community Arts & Education, Arts Council of Northern Ireland said: “We are committed to supporting the work of d/Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent artists. The Bounce Arts Festival offers an important platform to shine a light on work from these amazing artists. Congratulations to University of Atypical for curating a terrific programme for Bounce this year, which features some of the most talented artists from Northern Ireland and beyond. I would encourage everyone to go along and enjoy this exciting and inspirational festival which is simply unmissable.”

For more information on all shows and to book tickets, go to www.universityofatypical.org/bounce

photo:

Artist Una Walker has taken inspiration from the landscape around her County Down home for her new exhibition at the University of Atypical Gallery in Belfast as part of Bounce Arts Festival. Meanwhile Director Jenny Long will facilitate a drama workshop at Down Arts Centre in partnership with Dramability, the theatre’s company in residence.