Leisure Seekers
2024 Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Ireland

Leisure Seekers was a multi-media installation emerging from artist Harold Offeh’s research visits to Bray over the past 18months, where he explored the town’s history as holiday destination.

Working with local stories, fables, communities, families and sea swimmers, Offeh explored aspects of this rich history of Bray as a place for fun and leisure through the ages.
The title of the installation spoke to the promise of enjoyment offered by the traditional ‘fine day out’, considering the complexity of who has access to leisure, and why.
Embracing his role as a stranger and visitor, Offeh delved into Bray's history and politics of leisure. The film work Bray Bathers saw him taking a dip with all-weather bathers Bray Sea Swimmers and meeting long-term members of the vibrant Bray Rowing Club, while a participatory family workshop earlier this summer resulted in the jewel-like fantasy buildings displayed in Bray Future Follies.

The imposing structural work Bray Head mirrored the topographic profile of the distinctive landmark, covered with images of suburban plants taken by the artist during his visits.
A seating area in the gallery invites visitors to sit and contribute to the exhibition by making their own work from slotted cards and rubber stamps.

“Bray's relationship with leisure is complex and multifaceted. The construction of identity and the projection of desire play a significant role in the town's relationship with leisure. Leisure is closely intertwined with work, and access to leisure is often determined by class and economic factors. The concept of "Leisure Seekers" captures the desire for pleasure and the projection of desire onto the seaside resort landscape.” Harold Offeh

This evolving body of work grew further when a new work by Wicklow native and guest artist Michelle Doyle revealed work commissioned by Offeh mid-way through the exhibition. Commissioned as part of Mermaid Arts Centre’s 2024 LEISURE visual art programme, a series of new works exploring sites of leisure, rest, care and fun, drawing on Bray town’s history as a ‘fine day out’ and holiday destination.