An Exhibition of Photographic Self-Portraits of women with disabilities in Leitrim and Fermanagh, LIMINALITY: Different Views / Viewing Difference is the result of a cross-border project begun in 2006 with the partnering of Women Making Waves in Co. Fermanagh and Women Independently Living in Leitrim in Co. Leitrim. The theme and objective of the project is to examine images of women, disability and of women with disabilities, and to empower women with disabilities in a post-conflict region to choose the images that represent themselves. The result is a collection of photographs that show smiling, proud, stylish, independent women unashamed of disability or age, challenging accepted notions of femininity, physicality and social priority. Two documentary films form part of the exhibitiont; one by the artist herself, Kathleen O' Leary, and the other by local film-maker, Roísín Loughrey. A theatrical presentation of the project will accompany the exhibition in 2010, with performances by project participants in Enniskillen and Carrick on Shannon. Postcard sets showing images from the exhibition will be available to buy during each exhibition and event. All proceeds from these sales will go toward offsetting costs of the project. The project has been funded by Co-operation Ireland, CREATE and Peace II via the Leitrim Task Force.
Kathy O’ Leary is a native of West Cork, born in 1977 and is from a family of five. Kathy is an interactive multidisciplinary visual artist, working in mediums such as paint, charcoal and paper, print, film and photography. She is a Postgraduate, since completing her B.A. (Hons.), Degree in Fine Art in ‘05 at the I.T. Sligo. In ‘05 She was given an unconditional offer on a M.A. course in Printmaking from University of the Arts London, Camberwell College, which has been deferred at present due to an injury to her back from a R.T.A. Since then she has trained as a Facilitator through the WEA (Workers Education Association) through the LDH at The Dock Carrick-on-Shannon, and has also trained in Final Cut Pro and DVD Cut Pro. At present she has a studio at the LSC and has exhibited at the Open Circle Show at the LSC ’ Xmas ‘08, LDH (Leitrim Design House) ‘05, at The Dock Carrick-on-Shannon and The Model Niland Gallery, Sligo ‘05.