Leah Martin

Ag Trasnú na Teorann – Crossing the Border.

My honours collection is a range of throw designs inspired by growing up on the Irish border, inspired by the work of Seamus Heaney. From here I was prompted to investigate two themes in my life: home and heritage.

I used my own photographs of the life and landscapes of home, exploring the rich heritage of both my Northern Irish maternal family and my Republic of Ireland paternal family, to create a large body of sketchbook work. I then chose a range of yarns from Donegal Yarns in Kilcar.

Two palettes have been used to symbolise the contrast between both families: a blue-green palette representing the colours people associate with Ireland, and a darker palette featuring reds, purples, and greys symbolising the darker aspects of what life is like near the Irish Border. Wool and linen are the key fibres, which symbolise the two major industries in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland.