© Maria Lax, from Stray Sod, 2026.
International Centre for the Image
Thursday 25 June at 6pm
Join us at the International Centre for the Image to mark the launch of a new publication by Setanta Books, Stray Sod by artist Maria Lax, who will be joined in conversation by Jonny Dillon, Interim Director of the National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin.
Free Event – Booking required
Stray Sod investigates the phenomenon of the same name in Irish folklore: enchanted patches of earth that will lead astray whoever steps on them. Inspired by first-hand accounts found in the National Folklore Collection, Maria Lax reimagines rural Irish landscapes through this otherworldly lens.
Maria Lax is a Finnish photographer and director based in London. Maria’s work was recently on display at The National Portrait Gallery as part of the Taylor Wessing Portrait Photo Prize, and has been exhibited in over 14 countries. Her commercial portfolio includes collaborations with leading brands such as Apple, Channel 4, Vogue Italia, Chanel, Virgin Records, and Samsung. Her first directing job was one of the multi-award-winning Channel 4 idents, and since then, she has been nominated for the Young Directors Award in Cannes 2025 and ‘Most Promising Commercial Director’ by Creative Circle Awards 2025. Her still photography credits span a number of feature films and long-form series, including the Apple Original series Disclaimer starring Cate Blanchett, and Anemone, the anticipated return to acting from Daniel Day-Lewis.
Find out more at image.museum
