THE IMMA SHOWCASES THE DEEP REFLECTION OF CECILIA VICUÑA

The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) is hosting Reverse Migration, a Poetic Journey until early July, the first solo exhibition in Ireland by Cecilia Vicuña (Santiago, Chile, 1948). The institution’s curatorial proposal revolves around themes such as ancestry, ecological urgency, and human relationships. The exhibition also maintains a strong connection with the artist’s discovery of her ties to Ireland and, in parallel, her symbolic journey of return from Chile to the European island.

Of equal importance is the meaning of the visit the Chilean artist made to this country in 2006 together with her partner, the poet James O'Hern. During this journey, both visited archaeological sites across the island where they performed rituals of gratitude. In this way, this significant episode in the artist’s life becomes part of a narrative that is woven from personal memory, Indigenous traditions, and a dialogue with Irish cultural heritage.

Framed within this proposal, the exhibition brings together works that include her precarios and quipus, inspired by ancient Andean traditions, such as Aran Quipu, made with Irish wool and involving local artisans, establishing a symbolic link with the island. Vicuña’s early paintings are also present, proposing a spiritual and ritual connection rooted in Andean visual languages. Concepts such as “soft geometry” and the inclusion of mystical iconography enable a passage between cultural memory, spirituality, and aesthetic innovation.

As a poet, sound and literary composition are constant elements in her work. In Reverse Migration, a Poetic Journey, the Chilean artist presents the sound piece Mourning Dialog, a combination of a bird’s call and a vocal performance by the artist herself, echoing Indigenous oral traditions. These sonic explorations interact with her visual installations to create immersive environments where speech, chanting, and organic sounds connect cultures, times, and experiences.

Her poetic practice is marked by fragmentary verses and metaphorical language. Through these forms, Vicuña addresses displacement, environmental disaster, and cultural survival. For the occasion, together with her partner, she has created Mapping the Silence, an artist’s book documenting their connections to Ireland. The exhibition also acknowledges the influence of figures such as Leonora Carrington and her engagement with mythology, feminism, and traditional knowledge.

Cecilia Vicuña. Reverse Migration, a Poetic Journey is on view until July 5, 2026 at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Military Rd, Dublin (Republic of Ireland).