Visual art duo Electronic Sheep have brought their acclaimed ‘Notifications Off’ tapestry to Limerick’s Hunt Museum for the First Fortnight Arts & Culture Mental Health Festival.

Helen Delany and Brenda Aherne’s display, which runs at the city centre venue until January 14, aims to open up conversations surrounding mental health awareness.

Commissioned by First Fortnight, the knitted tapestries highlight positivity by depicting people, places and things that bring joy in times of sadness.

Having enjoyed residencies in Paris and London, Electronic Sheep’s vibrantly surreal piece features a range of well-known artistic and cultural figures who contributed to its creation, including Gavin Friday, Róisín Murphy, Aisling Bea, Tomoka and Bamboo Westwood, Vince Power, Dylan Phillips and Laura Whitmore.

 

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Taking place from 5-14 January, First Fortnight brings together some of Ireland’s most forward-thinking creative minds to challenge mental health stigma and promote mental health wellbeing through the medium of art and culture.

Now entering the second week of its 13^th annual showcase, organisers have focused on holding events across Ireland, allowing as many people as possible to take part.

“This year we've tried to be a bit more strategic by creating mini-festivals around the country so people can get that ‘festival feel’,” said First Fortnight CEO Maria Fleming.  “We've also tried to identify regions that don't necessarily always get a lot of provision.”

For full information on the wide range of events taking place across the country, visit www.firstfortnight.ie.