ART PROJECT ST. JOHN’S N.S. SCHOOL DROGHEDA
The Book, as a symbol of St. John, author of the 4th Gospel, is the focal point for the art installation in St.John’s N.S.
The term art installation refers to a deliberate arrangement of objects within a space – usually an interior. The installation invites the viewer to step inside the space and experience it as an environment. It can be a bit like a theatre without performance. Many possible ways were considered in developing a visually interesting art installation reflecting our ethos. The artist Kevin Flood was commissioned to work with the Board of Management to guide the project.
Focusing on the age group of the children and aiming to ignite their interest in the natural environment, we decided to explore the theme of “The Salmon of Knowledge”.
The elements of the design
The story of Fionn Mac Cumhaill and “The Salmon of Knowledge” is revealed in the pages of the books that we see on the wall. Each book has a different shape that links to the next. One family of colours dominates each panel as they move from predominantly cool colours on the left, to warm colours on the other side of the installation.
There is a variety of woods used in the project. The trees are hazel, the seats are made from very old pieces of elm which are resting on an old oak root and a piece of cypress. The hazel trees seem to emerge from the paintings becoming reality through the sensitive skilful woodwork of Paul Moore. The swooping bird by the seat is carved from ash. The woodcarving of the salmon which emerges from the river of mosaic tiles was carved by Kevin Flood from a piece of lime wood supplied and cut by Para Havatitye.
The mosaic design is based on the full sized painting by Kevin Flood. It reflects both the colours of the paintings on the wall and the movement of the water of the River Boyne as it flows through the installation. Tom Kilroe- a master of mosaic work – worked on this piece for almost a year to interpret the colours and movement of the painted design using tesserae tiles. This ancient art form has been used since at least the fourth millennium BC, when the walls of the world’s first city were decorated using a style of mosaic
ART PROJECT ST. PAUL’S N.S. SCHOOL DROGHEDA
The Boat as a symbol of St. Paul the Missionary is the central theme of the art installation in St. Paul’s NS.
The term art installation refers to a deliberate arrangement of objects within a space – usually an interior. The installation invites the viewer to step inside the space and experience it as an environment. It can be a bit like a theatre without performance. Many possible ways were considered in developing a visually interesting art installation reflecting our ethos. The artist Kevin Flood was commissioned to work with the Board of Management to guide the project.
The elements of the design
Kevin Flood’s major oil painting depicting “Point of Sunset – The Docks Drogheda” sets the mood and colour for the overall installation. The River Boyne, one of Ireland’s major rivers, meets the sea in Drogheda. The life of the town and surrounding areas is so closely intertwined with this maritime world that it was selected as the ideal subject for an art project in the school.
The boat, created by boat builder Chris Collins, is also a beautiful poetic image. The structure and ribs of the boat are made from oak, with mahogany detailing, while the planking is veneered plywood.
The overall design was further enhanced by adding some low relief carved panels behind the boat suggesting the shapes of reeds. Kevin Flood also designed, carved and painted this panelling. The Common Tern is intended to add movement and life to this part of the design. The swans on the right of the installation make reference to our mythological past and link both projects as they suggest the story of “The Children of Lir”.
Tom Kilroe of Irish Mosaics interpreted Kevin’s design to represent the colours and patterns of calm water, where the boat is moored among the reeds. Tom worked intensively for a number of months in his Roscommon studio to painstakingly cut, shape and assemble each tile in this intricate design.
