Bronagh Lennon
Feelings are abstract, non visible and deeply personal. My work describes inner emotions in a visual way so that the viewer can understand the internal experience being felt. This installation of 3 sculptures, describes different feelings associated with loss and grief. Emotions can be felt in a very physical way by the body, so I am using simplified human forms to give insight to an internal dynamic. 'Fragile' describes the fragility of the mind at times of loss, 'Winded' captures the force of grief that can hit suddenly and 'Holding it together' focuses on using our inner strength to heal. As these are powerful emotions that can engulf the self, larger than life scale is used to give a sense of the intensity of the experience.
A phenomenological experience refers to the subjective and lived experience of an individual as they perceive and engage with the world around them. In the context of installation art, this term is highly relevant because installation art immerses the viewer within a physical space, encouraging direct, multisensory engagement in real time. Each lived experience is personal, every viewer is unique and so every interpretation is individual. Looking at the work of Antony Gormley, Christo and Jeanne-Claude and Richard Serra, my thesis investigates how contemporary installation artists use space, site and scale to engage senses, emotions and perceptions to create a phenomenological experience for the viewer.
My research reviews the origins of installation art and the evolution of space as a form within installation artwork. It also explores the use of space to create an immersive and meaningful experience for viewers by engaging the inner and outer perceptions of the viewer. It investigates different types of site-specific art installations and looks at how artists use the features of the site to engage the viewer physically and intellectually. Finally, this research considers how scale has a direct influence on the viewer’s relationship with and interpretation of an installation artwork.
Based in Dublin, Bronagh is a visual artist working primarily in 3D using steel, plywood and ceramics. Her work explores the relationship between form and space, approached through a considered, methodical process involving drawing, collage and maquette-making. Across both 2D and 3D media, she aims to create work that thoughtfully engages the viewer using structure, scale and material. Bronagh has exhibited in **Mud Between the toes** at Pallas Projects / Studios (2025), **Fractal** at Powerscourt Townhouse (2024), at the Trinity Arts Workshop (2011) and at the DLIADT Graduate Show (2001).
