Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee

In 2012 Clare County Council commissioned a piece of art which was funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltachts ‘Per Cent for Art Scheme’. The piece of artwork was to be external and of a permanent nature, and to be sited at the newly developed Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee, County Clare. Closing date was September 7th 2012.

The commission was awarded to Orla Kaminska.

Stargazer by Orla Kaminska:
‘Shrimping’ across the bay at the Pollock Holes features significantly in my early years in Kilkee. Mornings spent netting the marine life there and depending on what time of the Summer, foraging through the seaweed with its ever changing palette of colour. The big discovery, although infrequent, was finding the elusive star fish or as we called it the Stargazer. Memories are conjured up with this unusual catch, hours of showing off the prized mollusk followed by a forensic inspection of its unusual shape, texture and colour are recalled.

Stargazer is that visual recreation of my star fish experience as a delight and a celebration and of its local habitat in the unique Pollock Holes nearby the library. Given that the piece is for viewing from the window of the children’s reading area, Stargazer has a distorted reflective eye reflecting the ever changing prevailing light throughout the day and drawing amusement for the child looking out of the window or for the adult waiting in line to borrow or renew a book.

Stargazer by Orla Kaminska, Completed work pre-installation, March 2013

Brief:
Application Form (RTF Word Doc)
Commission Brief (PDF file)
Appendix 1 (PDF file)

Mosaic workshop by Orla Kaminska with children from Carrigaholt NS, April 12th, 2013.