"Ich habe mich schon immer zum Verachteten hingezogen gefühlt"
Irish artist Alice Maher discusses her ongoing exploration of patriarchal structures, mythology, and the symbolic power of female hair in her practice. Her current work focuses on large-scale drawings of Sibyls—ancient female prophets—whose excessive hair serves as a metaphor for identity, power, and the 'monstrous feminine.' Maher reflects on her career-long engagement with Irish history, from collecting hair during the Troubles to her collaborative textile masterpiece, "The Map," which reclaims the legacy of Mary Magdalene from Catholic institutional narratives.
This interview highlights Maher's role as a pivotal figure in contemporary Irish art, particularly as she prepares for her upcoming contribution to the Venice Biennale. By connecting ancient folklore with modern political resistance—such as the protests in Iran or the defiance of Sinéad O’Connor—Maher demonstrates how visual art can deconstruct religious and social archetypes to address contemporary anxieties and gender politics.