Visual Art Project Celebrates Gaelic Awareness Month

A partnership for Gaelic Awareness Month has created a unique art exhibit on display and available online.

The title of the project is Léirsinn: The Exhibition. Léirsinn (layr-sheen), meaning perspective, insight, or vision, is an exhibition of Nova Scotia College of Art and Design students' work created in the 2015 Designing for Cultural Restoration class.

Led by associate professor Marlene Ivey, in collaboration with Nova Scotia Highland Village / An Clachan Gàidhealach, Gaelic Affairs and the Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia, 30 pieces of poster visual art were created representing three themes:

Òigridh (youth): using Beàrnan Brìde (the dandelion), as a metaphor symbolic of the Gaels renewal, hardihood and resilience

Seanfhaclan (proverbs): the Gaelic wisdom system

Na h-Òrain: Nova Scotia's living Gaelic song tradition

"Communicating the language and the cultural identity of Gaels in Nova Scotia through visual art is largely unexplored," said Lewis MacKinnon, executive director, Gaelic Affairs. "In addition to the intricate sounds associated with its speech, music, song, storytelling and dance, Léirsinn expresses Gaelic identity through thought-provoking visual creativity."

"Perspective, insight or vision as embodied in the Gaelic concept of Léirsinn are qualities shared by the NSCAD community and the Gaels' community in the province," said Ms. Ivey. "This exhibition represents the outcome of a rich partnership between NSCAD and the Gaelic community."

Léirsinn can be viewed on Flickr at bit.ly/gaelicposters .

Léirsinn was launched at the Gaelic Awareness Month 2015 kick-off at Province House on April 29. It will be on display at the Angus L. Macdonald Library, St. Francis Xavier University until May 31, and the Nova Scotia Highland Village Museum / An Clachan Gàidhealach from May 31 to Oct. 18.

For more information on Gaels and Gaelic language and culture in Nova Scotia, visit gaelic.novascotia.ca .