Introducing Olivia Hassett

Living in South Dublin for the past fifteen years I have been facilitating weekly group art workshops in the age related ward of Tallaght University Hospital for the past three years. As artist in residence in the hospital I also facilitates one on one art sessions with patients in the general wards. In the past year I have developed a series of specific workshops aimed at the staff in TUH. I was also lead artist on the ‘Make your Mark’ exhibition of art works created by staff and patients of TUH.

I am also inaugural artist in residence in the Engineering Department of Trinity College Dublin since 2014. During this time I have collaborated with various staff members and exhibited in three exhibitions on campus trinitycollegetrees.wordpress.com.

My visual art practice is concerned with the human body, it’s fragility and the beauty of it’s inner workings. In the past I have created numerous brightly coloured fabric sculptures and immersive installations reflecting these interests. Another aspect of my practice is the development of live performative works either solo or collaboratively with other artists. I am primarily interested in the potential of live improvisation.

Riverbank Gallery, photo credit Joseph Carr

My work in Tallaght University Hospital and interest in exploring the human body through live improvisational artworks has led me to seek out opportunities to further explore the potential value of this type of work with older people. After much research I came across the notion of co-creation, which seemed to incorporate many of my interests. More to follow about co-creation in the next blog post.