“Bernadette Kiely’s exhibition is a powerful invitation to show up in the face of the climate and biodiversity emergencies. The trees welcome us with open branches. The vibrant dandelion flowers and seed heads lure us in to the lush utopia of her wild garden and neighbourhood by the river Nore. Paradise is quickly lost as we are faced with the painting ‘the most terrifying day of my life’ and the devastating impact of extreme weather events, hurricanes, and fires. we are carried into flooded landscapes and the colours gradually lose their vibrancy until we are faced with monochrome melancholy. Bernadette speaks of the global migration crisis caused by climate change and the fact that those who do the least to cause the problem are often the firstto lose their homes to floods and fires. She has been there from childhood, trying to save what she needed from the rising waters of the river Suir. We stand in front of her daughter Amelia canoeing outside her own home. As Bernadette says “its not that this could be you, it is you”. This is you;, this is us. This exhibition is so timely and important for anyone with an interest in the future of the planet we live on”. Lisa Fingleton, Artist, writer and climate activist. Co-curator of this exhibition. July 2024.