Presentation Secondary’s Junk Kouture entries 2020

THE art room in Presentation Secondary School Castleisland has been a hive of activity over the last few months in preparation for the Junk Kouture competition this year. Five teams consisting of fifteen Transition Year students have emerged from the room dressed up or, in design supporting roles in preparation for the 2020 competition. Joining them is a finalist in the 2019 competition, fifth year student, Ian O’ Neill from St. Patrick’s Secondary School. “Junk Kouture is a country wide competition in its tenth year this year and it’s open to secondary school students,” Pres art teacher Katie O’Reilly explained. The students get the opportunity to design, construct and model their own creations which are all made from recycled, once used materials. “This is the fourth year Presentation Secondary has entered the competition reaching the Southern Regional Finals in University Concert Hall Limerick all years and reaching the Grand Final in the 3 Arena last year with Ian O Neill,” said Ms. O’Reilly. “This year’s Presentation Secondary designs include ‘I’m Peeling Good’ a creation made from dried orange peels modelled by Kate O’Connor from Ballymacelligott; ‘Hung Up On You’ used hangers and suit bags modelled by April O’Connor, Tralee; ‘Stuck In Time’ made from broken jewelry, old clock parts and cans modelled by Leah Pidegon, Currow; ‘Zero Gravitea’ made from out of date tea bags and milk cartons modelled by Hillary O’Connor, Currow and also ‘Out of CTRL’ a design made from used computer parts and keys from keyboards modeled by Ava Regan Castleisland. “Last year’s grand final contestant Ian O Neill from Currow and an art student in Presentation Secondary is back with a bang this year with his creation ‘Sofanum’ made entirely from an old couch,” Ms. O’Reilly concluded by wishing all her students the best of luck in the competition. The closing date for Junk Kouture 2020 is this Wednesday, January 22.

Photos by John Reidy ABOVE: St Patrick’s Secondary School student Ian O’Neill was also a finalist in last year’s Junk Kouture deciders in Dublin. Ian’s 2020 entry ‘Sofanum’ is made from an old sofa. LEFT: Presentation Castleisland Junk Kouture models from left: Leah Pidgeon, Hillary O’Connor and April O’Connor during their art room dress rehearsals on Friday evening.