Fidil

Medium Description

“Fidil” is a fused paper collage. All papers used were created by the artist using acrylics, inks and various drawing materials. Unique textural effects were created on the papers using a variety of techniques: stamping, printing and scraping. The prepared papers are then cut or torn, arranged,  overlapped and glued to the surface intuitively …creating a composition that has balance, depth, rhythm and a rich sense of history. 

Artist Description

Fidil (the Irish Gaelic word for fiddle) is a hand-cut collage composed of hand-painted and hand-textured papers. Inspired by the iconic form of the Irish fiddle, the work distills the instrument into an abstract arrangement of layered fragments, allowing its familiar silhouette to emerge gradually rather than through literal representation.

Constructed through an intuitive process of cutting, arranging, and revising, the collage balances structure with improvisation. The elongated striped form suggests the fiddle’s neck, while textured papers, rhythmic patterns, and expressive gestural marks evoke vibration, movement, and the lingering resonance of music. Bright passages of chartreuse, turquoise, rust, and ochre punctuate a quieter palette, echoing the lively cadence and emotional depth of traditional Irish music.

Like a traditional tune passed from one musician to another, it is assembled from fragments that carry history within them, inviting viewers to discover not only the shape of a fiddle, but the enduring spirit of the music it represents. Being a player of Irish traditional music myself. This piece became a personal tribute to the music that has shaped my own journey and deepened my connection to Ireland.