Barbara O’Meara is a visual artist from Wicklow. Her creativity spans into painting, writing and teaching. She is involved in artivism (art activism), most recently bringing attention to the Tuam Baby scandal and the Smear Test scandal by organising powerful art projects and events. She is an incredibly inspiring person and we had the privilege of spending time with her and taking her photograph as part of our ‘Inspirational Women’ series. Read more about Barbara and her work below.
Tell us a few words about yourself.
I am a professional visual artist, community arts facilitator and published writer with a particular interest in contemporary Celtic shamanism which I studied with Sli an Chroi and which I incorporate into my creative projects. I connect deeply to areas of land that are of sacred, historical or geographical interest. Walking the shamanic pathway has always been at the heart of my work, a sense of connection which transcends time and place and focuses on our very existence, our ancestors and the fragility of life, my paintings offer a journey beyond the immediate reality of our world, created in a deeply meditative and solitary process. I seek to capture a purity of expression beyond the physical act of painting.
Believing in the healing power of creativity in my teaching practice with workshops like ‘The Art of Soul Journaling’ and also community art projects such as 'Stitched With Love' where hundreds of women from across Ireland and beyond handcrafted 796 white squares to make ‘The Covering’ Tuam Baby Blanket which was laid out over the burial site by survivors and relatives in 2018 with an ancient midwives blessing performed by Karen Ward of Moon Mná Women’s Celtic Circles. ‘The Covering’ is now part of the ‘Stay With Me’ travelling art exhibition highlighting the scandal of Mother and Child homes and institutional abuse in Ireland. My most recent project 'Sort Our Smears Campaign' supported by the National Collective of Community Based Women's Networks incorporated 152 artworks (to-date) made by women to show solidarity with all those affected by the Cervical Smear Test Scandal in Women’s Healthcare. This installation mandala was exhibited at Rua Red Arts Centre with a participatory sacred ceremony in September 2019. The installation was then exhibited at Festival of FeminismS– Silence and Voice 2019 where I gave a presentation on the development of the ‘Sort Our Smears Campaign’. Artivism: ‘art as activism’ gives a voice to marginalized communities.
‘Soul Seers - An Irish Anthology of Celtic Shamanism’ is my co edited book with Karen Ward with 13 contributors and includes an essay on ‘Art and Shamanism’ together with many of my original paintings ... “A beautiful and heartfelt tribute to the dreaming of the land of Ireland...” Dr Sharon Blackie Author. ‘Soul Seers’ Theatre, a ‘sell out’ show is an experiential theatrical event recently performed at The New Theatre Temple Bar incorporating music, song, storytelling, visual art and sacred ceremony, another new venture and adventure. I am also working on a personal painting project about social justice issues.
I am 56 years old and a mother to two powerful daughters and I have always been brave in my life decisions and with my career choices ... a case of ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’! I am passionate about passing on tools and skills to empower people to live a creative life.
Tell us your story.
I am a woman, I am a mother, daughter, sister and partner, I am an artist, I am a woman who believes in supporting other women, I am a sea swimmer, I am the proud owner of a little camper van called 'Eartha' which is my travelling studio. I have painted on an erupting ‘live’ volcano in Italy and on a dormant glacier in Iceland where I spent time on artist’s residencies. I love a simple way of living and being. I have a rescue dog who is now 15 and who really rescued me. I write poetry and stories and I am a volunteer Illustrator with 'Fighting Words' charity. I love good coffee and a barista training course is on my ‘to do’ list. I have very long unruly curly hair and I hope to grow old disgracefully.
How did the photo shoot with Marta Faye make you feel?
When I was 32 I developed Hashimoto’s autoimmune disease which caused many underlying ongoing health issues with my body and my appearance literally changed overnight. I have had to learn to love myself in a new way which has been challenging at times. Recently on a Moon Mná Women’s weekend I took part in a fun Goddess photography event. I was dreading this as I find looking at photos of myself can be quite difficult at times. To my surprise I really enjoyed the process and even liked the way I looked in the image which was such a positive experience for me. I have always loved textiles, handcrafted clothes, ethnic jewellery and what I call ‘dressing up’ but in the past I have had uninvited comments and negative attitudes about my appearance or weight from people who know nothing about my health issues or my history. I just feel so lucky to be alive and well enough to lead a normal life and to be living my dream. Budgeting has always been a factor in pursuing my career as an artist so I have never had professional photos taken before (not even on my wedding day). For my biography for ‘Soul Seers’ Book my makeup was done by my daughter who is a beautician and my other daughter who studied graphic design took the headshot so I felt very safe and supported. Looking at the photographs I had done with Marta Faye has been so uplifting and I think now is my time to embrace myself and stand in my power as the wonderful wild woman I am and have always been.
What drew you to our project - 10 Women and their Inspirational Stories?
I am a real woman, imperfect but still beautiful, open and honest about my flaws, and I treasure the friendship, company and support of other women. Women supporting women.
To check out Barbara’s work and projects click on the following links :
The National Collective of Community Based Women’s Networks
Makeup and hair by Grainne Coughlan