Immrama
This artwork is an alchemy of memory, tide, and transit. Built upon a foundation of eco-printed deadstock linen, the fabric itself carries a history of survival—reclaimed, repurposed, and given a second life. The linen is deeply infused with locally foraged seaweed, staining the fibres with the literal chemistry of the coast, linking the material directly to the Atlantic waters that have both sustained and swallowed generations.
At the heart of the piece is a fractured image of boats reflected in moving water, fixed to the textile. The reflection is distorted and fluid, capturing the unstable nature of a life in transit. Layered over this imagery are fragments of heavily frayed linen. These raw, unravelling edges visually anchor the narrative, representing the physical toll of a perilous voyage in an old, rusted ship— reminiscent of the famine-era coffin ships.
Every loose thread and distressed fibre speaks to the wear of the elements, the erosion of the vessel, and the frayed nerves of those confined within it. Imramma—an ancient Irish word for a spiritual sea voyage—becomes a tangible monument to endurance, grief, and the haunting, indelible marks left by historical displacement.
Once I had chosen the piece of eco printed linen that I wanted to use for this piece, I then reversed an image I had taken on a foggy morning in Kinsale of the boats reflected in the water. I printed it and tore the edges to minimalise any white edges. I used modge podge to adhere it to the linen.
close up of the eco printed linen showing the seaweed and rust infused with the fabric in the alchemical process
blurring the edges of the image
stitching on the frayed linen
ready to be framed
The collection I created for the 2026 Kinsale Arts Weekend included the above piece and small framed textiles and cards depicting the sea pinks on the rocky headland looking out to the Blaskets. There were also limited edition photography prints.
The pieces not already sold are now available at West Cork Collective in Ballinspittle or can be seen at events I attend.
Karima Rebecca Powell Artist 