An Exhibition, entitled ‘Irish Natural Stone Carvings’ featuring Clare-based sculptors, will be hosted in the Garden Gallery in the Hunt Museum this month.
Sculptors from Irish Natural Stone (INStone), based in Boston, Co. Clare will use Ballinasloe limestone, Donegal sandstone, Croagh Patrick serpentinite, Valentia slate, Connemara marble, Cork-Kerry red limestone, and Co, Galway limestone to produce eight outstanding works of art.
The Exhibition, entitled ‘Irish Natural Stone Carvings’ is being held in the Garden Gallery in the Hunt Museum and will be free of charge to view during Heritage Week, which runs from 16 – 24 August. Set in the Garden Gallery, the display features expertly carved pieces that highlight the skill, precision, and heritage of one of Ireland’s oldest crafts.
In creating the pieces, sculptors Frank McCormack, Colin Grehan and Andy Waites, have pushed the materials used to their limits to bring their ambitious designs to life. Each piece on display shows the power, beauty, and versatility of Irish stone.
A celebration of form, texture, and timeless technique, the exhibition will give visitors the opportunity to explore the beauty and craftsmanship of traditional stone carving. It is perfect for all ages to enjoy during Heritage Week. No booking is required to visit.
As a bonus for Heritage Week, the sculptors will be on hand on Saturday, 23 August to give a talk and a carving demonstration for those interested in carving or eager to unearth a latent artistic skill.
INStone has a long association with the region and Limerick having been involved in restoration projects such as St. John’s Cathedral in Limerick and the O’Connell Monument in Ennis as well as the limestone carved monument of Anthony ‘Axel’ Foley, located at Clancy Stand, which depicts Anthony charging forward with the ball in a typical pose from his playing days.
*Photos: Eamon Ward
A piece of roadside art by INStone’s Colin Grehan can also be seen on the M7. The piece, entitled ‘Architects of the Land’, includes limestone figures of a man and a bull, one each side of the M7 Nenagh Bypass, created by Colin in 2001 from two massive limestone blocks.
Commenting on the Hunt Museum Exhibition, Frank McCormack, founder and director of Irish Natural Stone (INStone) said: “We are delighted to avail of this opportunity to showcase our craft to the people of Limerick and beyond. All the pieces on display, which have been crafted by members of our team, are generally on view in our gallery in Boston, Co. Clare. To bring them to the attention of a wider audience enables us to show the versatility of Irish stone and how it can be transformed into bespoke works of art. We would encourage those interested in art, heritage or landscape to take time out to visit the exhibition. It will remain open until the end of August.”