Mise Éire
(I am Ireland )
Is the latest piece from the award winning ‘Vetrate Art’. The title is shared with a 1912 poem by Irish revolutionary Padraig Pearse. Discovering it while researching Cu Chulainn this work is offered as a positive response to the darkness of those haunting words.
Referencing Irelands ancient past and enduring tradit
Mise Éire
(I am Ireland )
Is the latest piece from the award winning ‘Vetrate Art’. The title is shared with a 1912 poem by Irish revolutionary Padraig Pearse. Discovering it while researching Cu Chulainn this work is offered as a positive response to the darkness of those haunting words.
Referencing Irelands ancient past and enduring traditions, the foundation of Mise Éire is an artfully worked piece of Bog Oak. Dated at over three thousand years old the wood was in the ground before St. Patrick set off to expel the snakes. More particularly though, it was drawn from the Bog of Allen in the heart of Ireland.
The flora and fauna of the nation which Pearse wanted so badly, for which he was prepared to and ultimately did die, are clearly represented by a butterfly and ivy. The Irish native peacock butterfly is treasured by new to Irish garden operatives not only for their beauty but because their caterpillars devour stinging nettles. This particular example highlights Irish craftsmanship as well, having a thorax fashioned from a Celtic pattern Irish silverware spoon.
Undoubtedly arising from the generations when freedom of expression in Ireland was often just disguised treasonous references, Irish creativity is replete with symbolism. The ivys eternal quest to survive, often in difficult circumstances is evocative of this effort and adage requires that working hard requires playing hard. Inspection of the ivy leaves painstakingly fashioned from Jameson whiskEy bottles truly addresses this, defining the Irish spirit of celebration and camaraderie without fear.
This piece focusses on the symbolism of the difference between generations in the context of Irish history and Life. One butterfly has its thorax made from an old piece of Newbridge Silverware whereas the younger butterfly is similarly made from a piece of current silverware. these figures a generation apart are mounted on a piece of Bog Oak estimated to be over three thousand years old.