The National College
Sculpture - Academic Staff Profiles
Louise Walsh, DipFA, MA(University of Ulster)
Lecturer, Sculpture
Projects
2004-2006: Boundary Sculpture at Luas Stop, James Hospital, Dublin 8
All Photographs - Micky Smyth:
Boundary Sculpture mock-up
The group working
Jessie and Rasa
All the boys
Edel Salinger working on piece
I was commissioned to designed a 40 metre long art work as a boundary feature between Mary Aikenhead flats and the hospital’s property. I decided to create a series of seats on both sides of the existing low wall. The curving railing fulfils its brief of a boundary, but provides an equality of consideration and usage on either side.
I expanded the project, by coordinating and fund-raising for a linked art workshop project which includes bronze sculptures done by teenagers from the area.
Two NCAD graduates were employed as paid artist assistants. Volunteer mentors from NCAD undergraduate students were trained in group facilitation and child protection as part of the programme, dedicating a huge amount of their time to the young people from the area. Local youth workers volunteered and were present for every group event.
The teenagers made 16 sculptures in clay to be cast into bronze. These will take up feature positions on the railing posts.
These workshops provided really positive outcomes for all involved, and got lots of support from the local community. The completed public artwork should be installed by October 2006.