Maree National School- Oranmore, Co. Galway
Date: 2020
Dimensions: 6m x 3m
Materials: Artwork in ceramic.
Techniques: Printed and impressed ceramics with coloured slips and glazes. Fired to stoneware temperature.
Commissioned by: Maree National School through Percent for Art
Location: Exterior of the main school building.
Architects: Simon J Kelly & Ptns, Waterside
Description: A decorative illustrated design to reflect the rich history around the schools location and varied activity of school life.
Taking inspiration from the numerous ringforts that are found near Maree National School, this design shows a number of connecting rings made from ceramic pebble shapes and decorated with illustrated images to reflect the history of the area and life in the school. The ceramics are arranged in loose circles to make a number of connecting circles and a blue band reflects the closeness of the sea. Ring Forts are the remains of past settlement structures and were used as farmsteads and look out posts.
They were used to keep livestock in and raiders out. The superstition of fairy forts may still hold but the fact that they were kept in field corners shows a connection with the past and the strong bond of the community to the customs, land, and folklore of Ireland. Maree N.S wishes to keep a connection to this close community and the past values while encouraging growth and this is reflected in this design. The stones could represent the individuality of the pupils in the school with the flowing sea symbolizing the gentle forces which shape each pupil and help them on their way as they are growing up.
Images on the surfaces reflect the surrounding countryside and include references to farming, fishing, wildlife, townland names (from the school’s registers), and school activities. Three days of ceramic workshops exploring names of townlands and school activities resulted in a second artwork for the interior of the school made by the senior pupils.
See all the images of this commission below:
