Heat Beat 鼓動
Pictures Day1 to Last day of the show. Can’t see harts of heart anymore.
Molly Sterling “ Song Of Heart “
HeartBeat LHQ galleryPress / writing by Emma Dwyer︎
Seiko Hayase is a Japanese artist based in Mallow, Co. Cork. Her works often deal with emotions and how they relate to the body. Of particular interest to her is emotions that can't be expressed with words, somewhere in between happiness and sadness, or fear and relief, this she describes as the world in between. To bring this world to life she makes paintings, sculptures, installations, and collaborative projects often with a touch of macabre humour.
Seiko says, "Art is one of the tools to explore emotions, and art has infinite potential to share with society. It's about finding the right tool to share emotions with society.
Seiko's work often represents the brain because to her it's where emotions are made, and the heart then moves these emotions outside or inside the body. For this exhibition Seiko is exploring this idea of emotions being pumped with a heartbeat. She has produced new works including sculptures and paintings that represent the heart and associated emotions, such as a broken heart.
Mayor of County Cork, Joe Collins says, "Cork County Council are delighted to present Heartbeat at LHQ Gallery. Seiko Hayase is a Cork artist who brings her unique view of the world and helps us to see things differently. Seiko has worked with communities in Cork to develop small works to accompany this show and in doing so she has opened many hearts around the county." eIncluded in the exhibition is a large heart sculpture with words that Seiko has identified as hurting her a lot. She invites the audience to put flower band-aids on this heart and "treat" her.
There is also a series of paintings including on in which a woman's heart grows out of her body and confronts society. While in the corner of the gallery a glowing heart will beat emotions.
For this exhibition Seiko has collaborated with Molly Sterling. Together they have produced a new song called Song of Heart (2024). This song has a slow rhythmic beat, with lyrics written by Molly that respond to Seiko's ideas and works in this exhibition.
Molly will perform the song at the opening of the exhibition.
Seiko has also worked with communities in Skibbereen and Mallow to produce many small handmade hearts from clay. To coincide with World Mental Health Day on the 10th of October, Seiko will install these works in the windows of Cork County Library. World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.