Growing up in rural Ireland, I have always had an interest in my family farm, and the role I had to play as the farmer’s daughter.

In my project Crossing, I focus on female farmers working in Ireland, and the stereotypes that we have established about them as a nation. In doing so, I have created work that explores symbolism and stereotypes of women on the farm. In both acrylic and oil paintings, I bring attention to the portrayal of females on the farm, symbolising old traditions with new traditions. I chose to mainly work with natural colours from the farm, using many different shades of greens and browns.

As my project grew, so did my interest in the old traditions that still carry on in Ireland when it comes to passing on our land to the next generation. Crossing looks at all the traditions and methods used in farming, from 'crossing' the bog to cut turf, to ‘crossing’ over the fields to check on the livestock. The key difference about these traditions today is that women are now more involved in the agricultural world.