Martin Healy | ‘Genesis 28:12’ 1/5 | 2006 | Single channel digital video | 8mins 30secs

Since the Arts Council collection was established in the early 1960s there has been a huge growth in the number of artists using the camera to create photographs and make moving image artworks. At this time when we are all looking at an abundance of images online, we wanted to highlight some key works in the collection. There are over 100 lens-based works in the collection, and we’ve selected 14 works that are maybe not as familiar to our audiences. Works in the exhibition were created between 1987 and 2013.

Here, Martin Healy, whose work is showcased under the ‘Four Decades of the Lens’ theme, tells us more about the featured artwork and what it means to have her artwork as part of the Arts Council collection. Explore this and more from the Arts Council collection at instagram.com/artscouncilireland/

The work Genesis 28:12 started a particular line of enquiry that, to an extent, still continues in my work. I’m fascinated with the mythologies and belief systems that underpin culture and I have been exploring these ideas in my practice for nearly two decades. Prior to developing this work, the idea of working on a film work dealing with mythologies in popular music had always interested me and the opportunity eventually arose through a chance meeting with a group of musicians. From that point the piece was conceived and completed quite quickly. I worked with a limited budget and relatively basic technologies as I felt this approach would invest the work with the formal authenticity of a lo-fi music video which was the atmosphere I was aiming for. Genesis 28:12 was also the first occasion where I worked or collaborated with a group of people to produce a film work — in this case the musicians and sound engineers — and since that point I have continued working in this collaborative manner in my practice.

—Martin Healy

Since 1962, the Arts Council has been buying art from working artists. The Collection that evolved tells the story of modern and contemporary Irish visual art in a unique and fascinating way. Today the Collection continues to grow and its more than 1,100 paintings, sculptures and other works are on display in public spaces all over Ireland for people to experience and enjoy first hand. You can find out more at: www.artscouncil.emuseum.com