Going back before going forward...
This installation piece was on exhibit in The Five Lamps Festival. The visual arts group show was loosely titled " Memories", to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the North Strand bombings.Jean Doyle had invited me to take part in this show and I wasn't sure what to do. However, having read some of the memories of the survivor’s of The North Strand Bombing’s on the Internet, I was particularly moved by the following piece, submitted by Michael Ginnety.
"I was five years of age at the time of the North Strand bombing. We lived in Newcomen Court, a small avenue facing the North Strand Cinema. I can clearly remember the night in question. My father had gone up to Summerhill with other men from the area, to help out, as they had been hit by a bomb earlier. The women were talking at the doorways when word came around that the German plane was back overhead. I was in bed with my two sisters. I was at one end and the girls were at the other. Suddenly I heard this whistling sound as the bomb dropped towards the earth and next all hell broke loose. I dived under the covers as the windows above the bed was blasted in. The wall at the other end of the bed where my two sisters were lying came down behind the bed.
This installation piece was on exhibit in The Five Lamps Festival. The visual arts group show was loosely titled " Memories", to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the North Strand bombings.Jean Doyle had invited me to take part in this show and I wasn't sure what to do. However, having read some of the memories of the survivor’s of The North Strand Bombing’s on the Internet, I was particularly moved by the following piece, submitted by Michael Ginnety.
Michael Ginnety’s story
"I was five years of age at the time of the North Strand bombing. We lived in Newcomen Court, a small avenue facing the North Strand Cinema. I can clearly remember the night in question. My father had gone up to Summerhill with other men from the area, to help out, as they had been hit by a bomb earlier. The women were talking at the doorways when word came around that the German plane was back overhead. I was in bed with my two sisters. I was at one end and the girls were at the other. Suddenly I heard this whistling sound as the bomb dropped towards the earth and next all hell broke loose. I dived under the covers as the windows above the bed was blasted in. The wall at the other end of the bed where my two sisters were lying came down behind the bed.
If the bed had been tight to the wall, my two sisters would have surely been killed or injured. Having survived the shock we were taken out of bed and dressed. When the all clear was sounded we made our way to the North Strand Road. Soldiers with rifles were on duty outside shops and if my memory serves me right there were searchlights and anti-aircraft guns on the banks of the canal at Newcomen Bridge. I also remember the Red Cross ambulances with canvas bodies evacuating people from the area. Our little house was badly damaged and we were re-housed in West Cabra with a lot more of our neighbours. Unfortunately my mother, who I believe was heavily pregnant at the time, lost her baby who was still born, a fine big baby boy."
His memories were so vivid, that 70 years later, I felt transported back in time to his little bedroom.
In my work, I strive to create something uplifting. I often workin mixed media, recycled papers and bits and pieces that I come across.
Michael and his sisters were lucky to survive the bombings that night, and as I read his story, I found myself recreating the scene in his bedroom through the media I was working with at the time.
I felt that he and his siblings were blessed that night, and I wanted my installation piece to reflect how they were quietly taken care of, while all hell broke loose.
I made the piece above, based on his story.
Installation by Jean Doyle
My friend, Jean Doyle's Mum had her own personal memories of the bombings, and Jean exhibited this piece in the show...based on her Mum's memories. We brought our artpieces down to the show together, and amid much lifting , glueing etc, we managed to get all our pieces ready in time for the opening.