Inspired by the work of Indian writer and global food activist Dr Vandana Shiva, artist Lisa Fingleton, explores the interconnections between food, nature, health and climate change in The Square Tomato Exhibition.
Through her role as embedded artist with two large scale Creative Climate Action Projects, she supports communities to explore how we can grow food, protect nature and be creative all at the same time? What is the future we want to be?
The Square Tomato features new works created with Creative Climate Action Projects (Brilliant Ballybunion & A Creative Imagining), Kerry Visual Artist in Residence programme and time at Navdanya.
This exhibition is supported by Creative Ireland (Creative Climate Action Fund), Siamsa Tire, The Arts Council and Kerry County Council Arts Office.
The Square Tomato Exhibition from 1st February to 22nd March 2025 at Siamsa Tire, Tralee
“Fingleton’s small watercolour and ink drawings have a charming immediacy, while confronting us with their inherent incongruities. She is the type of artist – she is also a grower, farmer and writer – who wears her rich and wide-ranging knowledge lightly. To this lightness of touch, she adds an extraordinary depth of purpose, encouraging us to consider the often appalling absurdities that have crept into our conception of what is natural and normal”- Gemma Tipton
Read Square Roots the Exhibition Essay by Gemma Tipton HERE
About the Artist
Lisa Fingleton is an artist, writer and grower who has spent over twenty years cultivating deep-rooted connections between art, food, nature and peace.
Through her role as embedded artist with two large scale Creative Climate Action Projects, she supports communities to explore how we can grow food, protect nature and be creative all at the same time?
Lisa is currently the embedded artist with Brilliant Ballybunion and the Kerry Visual Artist in Residence. Her studio is based at The Barna Way, an organic farm, woodland and wildlife sanctuary near Ballybunion.
Lisa was the embedded artist with A Creative Imagining, one of 15 pilot projects funded by the Creative Climate Action Fund. She worked with the Dingle Hub, Green Arts Initiative of Ireland and the Marei Centre to creatively look at ways in which farmers can respond to climate change. As part of the project she created a 100 foot drawing project called The Creative Climate Wall with Creative Ireland and IMMA at the National Ploughing Championship.
Lisa’s two books The Local Food Project and The Last Hug For A While explore the power of eating local food and the connections between food, health and climate change.
Lisa has MA in documentary film (Goldsmiths College, London) and a degree in Fine Art (NCAD). Her work is held in the OPW and other national collections. She is a professional member of Visual Artists Ireland and a Farming for Nature Ambassador
The artist would like to gratefully acknowledge the support that has made this exhibition possible:
Co-Curation: Dermot Brown
Exhibition Essay: Gemma Tipton
Film: Chris Garrett / Clint Fitzgerald
Food: Jennie Moran / Lily Toomey / Stephanie Sheahan
Framing: Artisan Gardening: Bob Brennan / Rena Blake
Installation: Brian Irwin / Liam Naughton
Marketing: Michelle Murphy
Music: Katie O Connor / Ravi Iyer
Photography: Rena Blake / Manuela Dei Grandi
Printing: Quality Framing Company / Dsigns
Brilliant Ballybunion Team: Aine Hellard, Aoife Hederman, Antoinette O Sullivan, Caroline Duane, Clare Watson, Daniel Hayes, Danny Houlihan, George Nolan, Grainnne Toomey, Joanne O Brien, Karen Costello, Marta O Connor, Mona Lynch, Patricia Pienaar, Oleksandr Levochko, Polina Serohina, Rena Blake, Sean Culhane
A Creative Imagining / Corca Dhuibhne Inbhunaithe Team: Aidan O’Connor, Catriona Fallon, Clare Watson, Deirdre De Bhalís, Eibhlín Uí Chíobháin, Joe Kelliher, John Joe Fitzgerald, Nora Greaney, Niamh Foley, Michael O’Dowd, Padraig O’Dowd, Sandra O’Dowd, Seamus O’Cíobhaín, Sean Kennedy, Sharon Ní Shúilleabháin, Siobháin Prendergast, Tom Greaney, Tony O’Sé. Creative Ireland / Creative Climate Action Programme, The Arts Council, Siamsa Tire, Kerry County Council Artist In Residence Programme, The Barna Way, The Heritage Council, Kerry Writers Museum, Ballybunion Community Forum, Dingle Hub, Green Arts Initiative of Ireland, Marei, Navdanya Biodiversity and Conservation Farm
