The goal of Cut From The Same Cloth is to foster connections that pave the way for meaningful integration of minority voices with UCD Conway Institute’s Patient Voice in Health Research initiative.
Arising from an art and health research collaboration the exhibition Cut From The Same Cloth centres around the fabric of our lives. A handwoven tapestry documents a unique community of members of local minority communities and biomedical researchers. Lorna Donlon is a tapestry weaver who merges the ancient art of weaving with scientific concepts. With a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from the UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, she creatively bridges art and science through tapestry and installations inspired by the scientific practices of categorising and labelling nature.
Cut From The Same Cloth is Donlon’s second exhibition curated with UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research. During her time as the UCD College of Science Artist in Residence (2022-23), Donlon created the “measuring tape of my life.” This piece, inspired by scientific methods of measurement, represents her life through fabric pieces from garments worn by her grandmother, parents, herself, and her three daughters. The section representing her daughters spans the longest length, symbolising the future. Donlon incorporated this measuring tape into her tapestry, connecting the fabric stories shared by women from minority communities and UCD Conway biomedical researchers during their “Get Togethers.” It acts as a symbolic thread, intertwining personal histories with scientific narratives.