796 tiny figurines in sculpture tribute
A DRAMATIC sculpture of 796 tiny Tuam Baby figurines in the shape of a baptismal font was central to a protest during the Pope’s visit.
Artist Martine Sterck from Belgium said she wanted to do something in their memory so they would never be forgotten.
She revealed: “The story of the Tuam Babies touched me deeply, I could not forget those defenceless children and what they and their mothers had to endure.
“Because 796 childlike bodies were found, I came up with the idea to have 796 women model a baby out of a 60g clay ball.
“I took the idea to schools, nursing homes, school staff, friends, family and more. And then I got the figurines back.
“These were beautiful, often emotional moments for me. Every time I got a baby back it was like opening a surprise.
“Many wrapped the clay child with the greatest care, in a box covered with a blanket. Some wrote a message with the figurine, such as ‘never forgotten’ or ‘made with love’. I got one baby back from a sweet lady who is almost blind and 94 years old.” The figurines were baked in an oven and brought together into one sculpture – which took Martine seven months to complete.
She explained: “In the Catholic Church children are baptised and I used that symbolism by converting the children into a baptismal font.” The piece was first exhibited in April. It was presented to historian Catherine Corless in August after Margaret Donahue and Sarah Ironside carefully packed it and drove it from Belgium to Ireland.
Martine said: “My work originated from an intense, deep feeling for those babies. I was often too much in their terrible story and that made it twice as hard. But I felt that this was necessary to bring them to life, to respect them and to never forget them.”
The Tuam home for women who became pregnant out of wedlock was run by nuns on behalf of Galway County Council from 1925 to 1961.
A public consultation is taking place on whether the site should be excavated or become a memorial.