Environment Finalist

Beofhód — ‘life beneath the sod’ in Irish — evokes the primal significance of bogs in Celtic tradition. The series examines the cultural and environmental aspects of bogs in Ireland and contemplates themes of social and environmental justice, topographical mapping and the evolving perception of peatlands in an era of de-industrialisation. Although urgent ecological imperatives have ended large-scale peat extraction, they have also created tension with small-scale harvesting for domestic use, which still persists. Referencing Joseph Beuys’ assertion that bogs are ‘the liveliest elements in the European landscape’ and ‘preservers of ancient history,’ this work reflects on the endangered status of these habitats in the artist’s post-industrial surroundings. In this project, bogs are used as ‘a metaphor for Ireland and the Irish psyche, and for local, human and personal exploration of a global issue.’

Shane Hynan is a visual artist whose practice centres on photography, incorporating experimental elements in sound, video, collage and sculpture. His work explores place, land, and architecture, drawing on conceptual, performative, and subjective documentary approaches.