The Ark of Tides (2003) was a sculptural, photographic and socially engaged art commission which was temporarily located at Pollan Beach, Ballyliffin, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

The project was inspired by the life of Fr. John Colgan, O.F.M. (1592-1658) – a hagiographer whose family came from the Carndonagh area. Colgan’s work on the ecclesiastical history of Ireland is unequalled. He recorded information about the lives of saints, monasteries, shrines, ruins, relics and sacred images, which otherwise would have been lost. He also brought together much useful information on Irish nomenclature, especially place-names from across the country. In addition, the town of Carndonagh on the Inishowen peninsula, was an important ecclesiastical site from the 5th century. Prior to this there is strong archaeological evidence to suggest it was a place of worship for the Celts.

Marie Barrett’s commission investigated elements of religious practice and ritual in relation to local experience, and had three elements:

The Ark was a sculptural interpretation of the altar-like structures that were carried or rolled onto the beaches during Penal Times, and placed within the tidemarks – land not technically owned by landlords – where celebrants of Catholic Mass might thus avoid prosecution.

An exhibition/process room entitled ‘Turas’ was temporarily situated in the Pollan Beach car park area, show-casing a collection of photographic images of local ancient ecclesiastical sites, and documentation of other religious ephemera – prayer tallies, mass rocks, holy wells, pilgrimage and the Turas (the sacrificial practice of walking barefoot and praying).

Mission Bells were two bells which could be heard by parking at the roadside lay-by on the Mountain Road. They invited the audience to contemplate how, for centuries, bells have played an important role in calling people to work and prayer, and marking the time of day.

Cultural Connections: Strategic Plan For Cultural Services Division, Donegal County Council 2009–2014’, Donegal County Council publication.

http://www.donegalcoco.ie/NR/rdonlyres/DBC7EBFB-0D63-4DB0-96E6-0C9982F18CBA/0/CulturalConnections.pdf

Marie Barrett creates site-specific artwork through collaborative engagements which utilise processes of community development and dialogue. Previous projects have taken place nationally and internationally, including ‘Sitework’ public art project, Orchard Gallery, Derry; The International Studio Programme (P.S.1.), New York; and the Artists Work Programme, Irish Museum of Modern Art. She has been the recipient of several national and international awards including the Alice Berger Trust Award (Berlin), and the Cultural Relations Travel Award (Quebec).

Barrett has on-going involvement in international conferences and seminars that address issues relating to socially connected ways of making art. These included: New Zones for Critical Practice in Art Salford 1994; Chimera, Sydney 1995; Littoral, Dublin 1998 and InSite, San Diego/Tijuana, 2001.

An education project was undertaken by the artist with Transition Year Students from Carndonagh Community School.