LAND AND water

Land and Water is a series of paintings that explores the deep and complicated relationship between the Irish people and the landscapes we inhabit. These works reflect on centuries of change, from ancient land clearances to the modern prioritization of commercial gain over ecological balance.

Through depictions of barren hillsides, altered coastlines, and the traces of lost native forests, the series considers the lasting impact of over-farming, extractive industries, and monoculture forestry. What was once a rich, biodiverse land has, in many places, become depleted and subdued, shaped more by human need than natural rhythm.

The water, too, holds its scars. From overfishing to the spread of microplastics in our seas and rivers, the damage is both visible and invisible. Yet even within these wounded places, there is resilience, a kind of quiet defiance in the earth's ability to hold memory, to adapt, to endure.

Land and Water is not just a record of what’s been lost, but a call to awareness, a reminder that our landscapes are living, vulnerable, and worthy of care. These paintings ask us to look closer, to feel the history beneath our feet and to imagine a more respectful way forward.

You can see works from this series on Instagram @art.nyay.