Eilish O`Donohoe is Lecturer in Visual Communication on the Foundation Art and Design Programme at Swansea Metropolitan University. Her interests lie in the interdependence of parctice and theory in art education and her PhD research involves the dissemination and implementation of a systematic-functional, semiotic model which enables students to generate and synthesise their own graphic and illustrative work and to analyse historical and contemporary artists` and designers` work in the studio.

Her own practice revolves around the visual nature of language, of the visibility of text and of visible language as imagery. She is currently in the process of transposing her text-based MPhil thesis to a largely visual domain.

Research Statement

Eilish`s research practice explores the semiotic nature of the relationships between Image and Text, arguably the most ubiquitous codes and modes of communication we have. These relationships have been fraught with social, academic and political vying for dominanat position since the Enlightenment and possibly much longer. A culture of spectating and a culture of reading are still, even in teh early 21st Century, as distinct as they were three hundred years ago, although there are signs of the beginnings of a rapprochement in academia.

Eilish is particularly interested in the visuality of text, of the letters of the alphabet as images and objects in their own right, which goes beyond their role as just conveyor of information. Collaborating with Simon Lau`s laser technology company will be an ideal platform for experimenting with particular surfaces like plastics and particular functions such as plugs and sockets to which text will be applied. The application of playful text to rather mundane objects which are for serious commercial purposes should be very interesting, and the project has great potential for commercial exploitation for the company.