A story about the unexpected places life takes you - Grace Harper was born healthy in 2004, but within a year, her life and the lives of her family had changed dramatically, as they learned to accept and manage her...
On leaving school I was accepted as a student in the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. It was an end, and also a beginning.
I promptly gave up painting in favour of photography and video work. After graduating in 1983, I established an international reputation as a photographer and performance artist. I exhibited in venues across the world, including the Institute of Cntemporary Art in London, the National Museum of Photography in Tokyo and New Langton Arts in San Francisco.
Since mounting my first solo show in the Belltable in Limerick in 1989, I've received numerous commissions and awards, including the Gracie Fields Live Art Bursary and was also awarded an honorary doctorate of laws by the NUI for my contribution to the disability rights movement. My photographic work was acquired by the National Self-Portrait Collection.
In the mid-1990s, I took a creative detour into journalism and
broadcasting, working at first as a programme maker, then researcher, and later as a producer. My first documentary for radio "The Lino Crossing- Tales of the Observed" was nominated for the Prix d'Italia.
Three years ago, I turned full circle, and returned to painting.
Mary's website
These are some of our favourites ...
If you want to suggest a subject or you want to make a documentary? Let us know