Introductory Video
Watch this short video for an introduction to Basking - the Nursery with comments from the lead artist, Tom Meskell, and Melanie Scott, Tipperary Arts Officer. Video produced by Caleb Barrett.
Click the photo to start the video >
Project Overview
Basking – The Nursery is a continuation of Tom Meskell’s acclaimed Basking series, exploring the majestic presence and gentle mystery of the basking shark through illuminated sculpture and participatory art.
This new installation, The Nursery, draws inspiration from the early life of the basking shark — a rarely witnessed stage of one of the ocean’s most graceful giants. The work transforms the exhibition space into an underwater environment populated by illuminated basking shark pups, moon jellies, and planktonic lights, inviting audiences into a serene, immersive world of light, sound, and collective creativity.
This iteration of the Basking project, is specific to Tipperary and the imagery that results from this show will be immediately identifiable.
Artistic Concept
The project takes its title and theme from the “nursery” — the place where young basking sharks begin life. The pups, with their distinctive cone-shaped snouts and sleek, gentle forms, embody the fragility and resilience of marine ecosystems.
Within the gallery, several sculptural shark pups, each approximately 6.5 feet long, will appear to swim gracefully between the two sections of the space. These forms will be accompanied by glowing moon jelly lanterns suspended on the walls and ceiling, while community-made plankton pieces shimmer with tissue paper and fairy lights, filling the space with a dynamic sense of life and movement.
An existing soundscape in the main room will further envelop visitors, evoking the rhythms and sonorities of the underwater world — a meditative experience of connection and wonder.
To learn more about Tom and his artistic ideas around Basking - The Nursery, check out the interview Tom did with Catherine Fogarty from Tipp Mid West Radio and her Morning Call show via Soundcloud by clicking here.
Community Project
Local artists and young people of Tipperary Town helped Tom construct this exhibition, making it a true community arts project:
As part of the Tipperary professional artists development programme, local artists and creative practitioners received training in creating large-scale three-dimensional arts objects and curating an exhibition. We thank Magdalena Rudnicka, Libuse Horankova, Jennie Spencer and Esther Griffin for their contributions to this art project:
"[...] that was my first time working with willow, and With Tom's help, I created my first sculpture. It was an incredible experience. Tom showed me immense trust, leaving me one of the shark sculptures and checking on me, always ready to help and offer advice."
"I was delighted to have been given the opportunity and then I gained even more from the experience than I had expected to. The exhibition space is very special and a much needed step forward for arts in Tipperary Town. It’s fantastic to see artists such as Tom Meskell visiting with their work."
Tom also worked with a Foróige teenage group and pupils from the Monastery school to create additional objects for display. An information sheet has been produced to allow pupils from all primary and secondary school as well as community groups to engage with the exhibition once it is launched.
Click here for the information sheet or contact artsoffice@tipperarycoco.ie for a pdf version.
Scientific Inspiration
The project draws on fascinating marine biology surrounding basking shark reproduction:
- Basking sharks are believed to give birth to up to six pups at a time — the inspiration for multiple sculptures.
- They reproduce through ovoviviparity, meaning the embryos develop inside eggs within the uterus and hatch internally before live birth.
- Pups are born large — around 6.5 feet long .
- Their gestation period is extraordinarily long, estimated between one and three years.
These elements align beautifully with the project’s themes of patience, growth, and the nurturing of creativity through collaboration.
The Irish Basking Shark Group have been firm supporters of this work from the outset and have been very generous in their time and extensive knowledge, so a huge thank you to Dr. Simon Berrow from ATU and Dr. Ruth Leeney from UCD. Learn more about this group and their work by clicking here.
Exhibition
The exhibition runs from 14 November until 19 December 2025 at the At 6s & 7s Gallery in Tipperary Town. The exhibition launched on Friday 14 November at 6pm. Cllr. Marie Murphy, Leas Chathaoirleach Tipperary-Cahir-Cashel Municipal District officially opened the exhibition, followed by a short talk by Dr. Ruth Leeney, Interdisciplinary Biologist at UCD.
An informal artist talk was held on Saturday 15 November at 11am.
At 6s & 7s Gallery, 6 Davis Street, Tipperary Town. Open Tuesday to Friday 10am - 4pm, Saturdays 11am - 4pm.
This Project takes place as part of Tipperary County Council’s Arts Programme with the support of the Arts Council and in cooperation with Creative Places Tipperary Town
