Community Engagement
My practice is deeply rooted in community engagement, emphasising embodied workshops and listening and reading groups that create inclusive, reflective spaces. These initiatives invite participants to engage with complex narratives of maternal trauma, diaspora, and embodied shame. By facilitating collective reflection and shared experiences, my work seeks to foster communal encounters and transformation, particularly among Irish communities in Ireland and the Irish diaspora.
Irish Diaspora & Community Histories
A central focus of my practice is navigating the lived experiences of the Irish diaspora and communities in Ireland who carry the lingering echoes of maternal histories. These histories are entangled with migration, Catholicism, and cultural memory, influencing how maternal shame and trauma are experienced and transmitted across generations. By working directly with these communities, I aim to create spaces for collective storytelling, remembrance, and encounters.
Embodied Workshops & Listening Groups
My embodied workshops are durational practices that unfold across artist residencies, academic settings, and community spaces. They incorporate breathwork, guided readings, and shared reflections, fostering an empathetic and inclusive atmosphere. By exploring how breath functions as a relational exchange, my practice invites participants to reconnect with their bodies, memories, and identities. This approach resonates deeply within Irish communities, offering a reflective space to navigate complex familial and cultural narratives.
Dementia Support & Care Communities
My practice is also inspired by my personal experiences of caring for my mother with dementia. This intimate, ongoing relationship has influenced the evolution of my work into a dementia-focused approach, emphasizing acts of care, relationality, and inclusive methodologies. Taking inspiration from the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) and Dublin-based charities are pivotal in expanding my practice to include dementia communities in Ireland, creating intergenerational dialogues that bridge personal and cultural memory.
Accessibility, Ethics, & Community Care
Living with endometriosis and navigating chronic pain has shaped my commitment to accessibility and ethical engagement. My workshops prioritise inclusive environments, ensuring sensitivity to diverse bodily experiences and providing careful signposting to support participants. This commitment to care informs my practice, deepening its capacity to address complex narratives of trauma, pain, and resilience.
Collaborative Impact & Broader Significance
These community-based practices not only enrich my PhD research but also demonstrate the broader social, cultural, and academic significance of my work. By engaging with diverse participants—from international scholars to local Irish communities—my practice bridges academic inquiry with lived experiences, challenging conventional narratives and fostering a reflective public discourse.
On 'Walk with - Venice' Workshop
"During the 'Walk with - Venice' workshop with Marie Theresa, I experienced a city I know intimately in a new way—visually, emotionally, and intellectually. Collaborating in discussion with artists, architects, and commentators, I saw Venice from new angles and generated fresh thinking from the shared, challenging perspectives. Marie Theresa was an open and gently probing facilitator, holding us all in the spaces without directing—prompting but not pushing any one voice or direction."
— Workshop Participant
On Ongoing Discussions & Collaboration
"I've been taking part in discussions with Marie Theresa over a number of years, exchanging ideas and broadening our collective and individual thinking around a number of topics pertaining to our respective areas of practice. A curious and spacious thinking partner, I'm continuously impressed by how generous Marie Theresa is in sharing her thoughts, tools, and insights, and how receptive she is to feedback and alternate considerations."
— Collaborator & Discussion Partner
Participant Consent and Agency
In all my embodied workshops and listening and reading groups, I prioritise participant agency and ethical engagement. Before each session, participants receive an Address and Consent Form detailing the workshop's purpose, structure, and any potential emotional impacts. This ensures transparency and empowers participants with informed consent.
I encourage all participants to read and sign the consent form beforehand, ensuring they have the agency to engage at their own pace and step out at any time if needed.
For more details, you can view or download the forms here: