Tir na n'Og
1995
Passage Series.
The work references the linking of destinies and hopes of Irish migrants who came to New Zealand during the potato famine in their homeland.
New Zealand was seen as the ‘floating island’, the ‘island of plenty’ of the Celtic myth. The intention of this work was to embrace the concept of dislocation and reconnection, the tradition of oral histories and ancient chants. When the three-metre work is floated it gently rolls and sways.
'Floating Island' was also a term used by Maori to describe the white-sailed European ships.
Dimensions: Length 2800mm x Width 700mm x Height 40 mm.
Materials: Macrocarpa and Stockholm tarred rope, screw eyes and acrylic stains.
Private collection, Auckland.