Sheela na Gig Clay Craft Workshop, Saturday February 8th, 2:00pm to 4:00pm , FREE
Join Artist Kay O’Donoghue as she leads this workshop inspired by the figure of Sheela na Gig.
The history of Sheela Na Gig goes back as far as the 11th Century in France and Spain. The stone figures depict a naked female gesturing to, and, allegedly “flaunting” her genitalia while her facial expression appears grotesque. Although there is a lot of mystery as to the origin of these figures, which adorn many ancient buildings around Ireland and other parts of Europe, there are many hypotheses on their meaning. Below are some to consider:
- They were pagan symbols warning mortals of the sin of lust.
- Intended to protect the building against the devil
- Symbols of fertility and use in birthing ceremonies
- In more recent times) Female Goddess empowering the woman and her sexuality.
In this workshop, we will explore our concepts of strength, fertility, sexuality, and female empowerment through the medium of clay. Clay itself is a very sensory and tactile material and has been associated with fertility and the power of the divine for centuries.
Parental Advisory!!!
Please be aware that the themes explored in this workshop may not be appropriate for young children and teenagers.
This workshop is part of the Brigid Fest 2025 celebrations.
