‘Seeds of Wonder’ art work takes root at Creagh College
CREAGH College in Gorey was a hive of activity last week for the official launch of a series of new artwork pieces by Kilkenny artist Alan Counihan.
The special event was attended by Alan, staff, students, parents, Percent for Art Committee and special guests.
The art work, ‘Seeds of Wonder’, was launched by Arts Officer Lucina Russell, Kildare County Council and was commissioned by the Department of Education and Skills under the Percent for Art Scheme.
The piece of art consists of a series of works in glass and stone in various locations around the school. This includes two main limestone sculptures based on seed forms which have ‘opened’ to release smaller seeds.
It is as though these coloured glass seeds have been carried by the wind and have settled on the exterior benches and gathered in curved and geometric shapes on the interior walls in the main atrium.
The connection between the interior and exterior in a natural trail is skilfully achieved by the artist and the work beautifully compliments the new school building.
The two main sculptures are carved limestone from McKeon’s stone quarry in county Kilkenny. Alan was assisted in this work by stone carver Ruairi Carroll and the coloured glass seeds were provided by Jerpoint Glass.
Alan said that one of the things which attracted him to the project was the opportunity to work with the entire school as opposed to one specific location.
He was delighted to revisit the school and see that the work is now truly embedded and part of the everyday life of the students.
‘We were very conscious that the work would connect with the students, staff and school community,’ said Percent for Art Coordinator Aileen Lambert. ‘In the Artist’s Brief we asked that an element of participation would be included so that students and staff could be involved in some way.’
As a result, a number of the staff, parents, and students engaged in making their own responses to the ‘seed’ concept.
Using the same scale and form as the glass seeds in Alan’s work, they created their own in a wide variety of materials and subjects which reflect the wide range of subjects taught in the school.
These are also on permanent display in a specially commissioned cabinet in the main atrium.
Each of the students and staff who created their own seed were presented with a glass seed by Alan at the launch.
Alan was also presented with an engraved pen as a token of appreciation for his great work and generosity of spirit.
The event was coordinated by Creagh College art teacher Mary Andrews who was instrumental in managing the entire commissioning process, along with Aileen Lambert who was appointed Percent for Art Coordinator for the project.
Aileen works on a freelance basis and is involved in a number of other schools’ Percent for Art Projects commissions in the southeast.
The success of this commission is due to the support, assistance and participation of a range of people.