Oisin Kelly RHA (1915-1981)
Kilcorban Madonna
Terracotta, 62cm high (24½'')

 

Sculptor Oisín Kelly (1915-81) is best known for his large public bronzes, such as Two Working Men at the...

Oisin Kelly RHA (1915-1981)
Kilcorban Madonna
Terracotta, 62cm high (24½'')

 

Sculptor Oisín Kelly (1915-81) is best known for his large public bronzes, such as Two Working Men at the County Hall, Cork (1969), The Children of Lir at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin (1971), Jim Larkin in OConnell Street, Dublin (1977), and The Chariot of Life at the Irish Life Centre, Dublin (1982). But he also made a great many smaller pieces, in various media. Many of these deal with devotional themes, and his religious works are to be seen in churches throughout the country. The statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Infant Christ illustrated here has an interesting history. Oisín was greatly influenced by medieval Irish art, and this piece was inspired by the Kilcorban Madonna, an oak carving which dates from around the year 1200. It is currently on display in the Clonfert Diocesan Museum, Co. Galway. Oisín was commissioned by the Reverend Thomas Hogan to carve a similar piece for the restored Ballintubber Abbey, Co. Mayo, and it was completed in 1966. It was often his practice to treat the same theme in different media, and he decided to make this stoneware version of the statue, of which six copies were kiln-fired.

 

During boyhood visits to the Conamara Gaeltacht, Oisín developed a love for traditional Irish céilí dancing. From the beginning of his career as a sculptor he was fascinated by the challenge of convincingly representing céilí dancers in movement. One of his earliest works was a male dancer in stained wood, and he also modelled a popular Dancing Couple, which was included in the Kilkenny Design Workshops ceramic range. Another lively piece comprises a group of three dancers, carved in wood. The bronze figure illustrated here is one of an issue of seven: it is a smaller version of Dancing Girl, on permanent display at Fitzgerald Park, Cork.

 

Fergus S. Kelly

(Son of Oisín Kelly, and author of The Life and Work of Oisín Kelly, with photography by Hugh McElveen, Derreen Books, 2015)

 

 

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