The exhibition draws upon observations gathered last winter, when Shaw weathered a three-day storm to go on a pilgrimage to the smallest of the Aran Islands, Inis Oirr. INIS OIRR is a gathering of drawings, paintings and audio recordings made during his adventure and in the contemplation that followed.

“I am on the Aran Islands. Next stop is Hy-Brazil that mystical isle, and far beyond that the Eastern Abenacki, Pequawket, Mohawk, Pawtucket, Shawnee, Meskwaki. Today all I see is an unimaginably vast stretch of water ahead, with a great sheaf of limestone under my pale bare feet. I am singing in bad-Irish, with lots of stops and starts. I am trying to become a real human being.

On the island I was. Ten days in regular-type time.
But these were strayed-days; a inty, yellowed type of time – stretched out for a year or three. On the island I am a blow-in, what we call a grockle where I am from.

See where it leads you, they said. That was the only plan. Just over the waters are the mountains of Connemara, ancestral ground. I love the drama of a big old slope, but the fog’s put paid to any eyeballing. The island of Inis Oirr sounds like Inis Sheer and locals pronounce it Inner-Seer. I’m saying nothing…”

The gallery will also host a pair of events celebrating the work. At the opening, from 6pm on Thursday 7th November, Martin will be sharing a bottle of poitín he has put by for the occasion. A Night on the Island, an intimate evening with Martin in the Field System gallery, will take place on Thursday 14th November. Expect stories and conversations that will unravel the encounters which inspired the extraordinary work in this exhibition. Please note that due to space restrictions tickets are very limited for this event (currently sold out, but you can join the waiting list here).

INIS OIRR is open 7th November – 27th November at Field System, 13 West Street, Ashburton, Devon, TQ13 7DT. The gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5.30pm, or at other times by appointment.