What’s your name and job title?
Kerrie O'Leary, Artist, based between London and Dublin.
What does your role entail and why is it important for oceans and coastlines?
I’m an artist and producer currently based between London and Dublin. My practice involves using technology as a major component to breathe life into spreadsheets, making raw data tangible through immersive experiences and moving sculpture.
Having grown up by the sea and learning to sail from a young age, my work focuses predominantly on the oceans and environmental issues. Data relating to climate change is complex and often ambiguous. I aim to make the invisible visible, enabling audiences to engage with critical issues like rising sea levels and plastic pollution. Using computer code and algorithms I pass data into chips called Arduino boards and RaspberryPis to activate motors, sensors and LEDs to create movement in these installations.
This work is crucial for the oceans and coastlines because it brings the urgency of these environmental challenges to life, making them both accessible and immediate. My interdisciplinary approach, rooted in my background in Management Science and Information Systems, enables me to create artworks that are deeply informed by research and data while also challenging the limits of traditional art forms. By merging art, science, and technology, I aim to inspire reflection, spark dialogue, and ultimately drive action—encouraging people to adopt more harmonious ways of living in order to protect the sea and life below water 🌍
What advice would you give someone wanting to start a career like yours?
If you're interested in a career/way of life that combines art, tech, and caring for the planet, my advice is to cultivate curiosity and embrace interdisciplinary learning. Don't be afraid to explore seemingly unrelated areas. My path started in Management Science and Information Systems, which seems far from art and definitely didn’t feel creative at the time, but it gave me a solid foundation in analytical thinking, problem-solving, and systems design.
Seek out collaborations and engage with communities beyond the traditional art world—scientists, technologists, and activists can offer fresh perspectives and valuable insights. The most exciting moments in this field come from thinking outside the box and pushing boundaries, so stay open to experimentation.
Get to grips with time planning, if you think it will take 1 week, give yourself 3 - Be prepared for setbacks and always have a backup plan, especially when dealing with technology and installations 💡
What skills are important for your job?
Key skills as a computational artist include problem-solving, creative thinking, and adaptability. The ability to approach problems from multiple perspectives is crucial, especially when working with data or new technologies. Thinking outside the box helps in finding innovative ways to visualise complex topics like ocean pollution or climate change.
This isn’t necessarily a skill but it is really essential to have a thick skin - being an artist is more vulnerable than I could have ever imagined. You need to be able to motivate yourself out of bed in the morning even if you’ve received your fifth unsuccessful application that week, it’s about being tenacious and not giving up. Talking to other creatives is important and always helpful to know that you’re not in it alone.
What do you enjoy most about your work? And what do you dislike?
Working with such heavy topics can be pretty daunting, researching the realities of climate change and ocean pollution often feels like I’m staring into an abyss and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude it all. It can be lonely, especially when much of the work involves deep research or solitary studio time. I’ve recently been granted a Makers with a Mission residency in Makerversity at Somerset House which has been incredible—being surrounded with like-minded creatives who are equally passionate about making the world a better place is really exciting!
The most fun part for me is transforming datasets—often filled with grim statistics about the environment—into mesmerising installations that captivate people’s imaginations. I love watching people engage with my work, seeing their reactions when they realise they’re looking at a ‘moving spreadsheet’ , a visualisation of something like rising sea levels or tidal values.
There’s a powerful moment of understanding and connection that art can provide…I consider myself lucky being able to create those experiences, it’s definitely the rewarding part and what keeps me going 🌊
Where can people learn more about you?
Instagram: @kerrieoleary.ie
Website: www.kerrieoleary.ie
Sincere thanks to Kerrie for taking the time to answer my questions.
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