A Place of Retreat is a body of work inspired by Murlough Beach and Nature Reserve. The area is visited by thousands of people every year all of whom experience some sense of solitude and sanctuary from the ‘real world’.
I began this project in October 2022 and have visited the area on numerous occasions since then. My aim has been to get a real sense of the place and capture images and memories to inspire and in some cases be included within the work.
Below you can see an example of this and the steps taken to get to the final piece. Top left is the original image, top right is the digitally adjusted image, bottom left is the part of the image I used within my art and bottom right is the completed work.
A retreat can be something that is organised by groups or by an individual. It can be as simple as a walk in nature with time to think or a much longer time away from our usual routine.
Retreat comes from the latin meaning to ‘draw back’ and there are a number of definitions to be found such as :-
1. An act of moving back or withdrawing.
2. A quiet or secluded place in which one can rest and relax.
3. A period or place of seclusion for the purposes of prayer or meditation.
Overall it seems that retreats aim to provide a safe sanctuary to allow a deeper physical and emotional withdrawal from the stresses and strains of everyday life.
Through the creation of this body of work I aim to explore these themes alongside the impact of nature on emotional well-being.
I will be sharing more about the project over the coming weeks.
An image of Murlough Beach