Excitement building for new sculpture at park
By Maurice Garvey
A VIRTUAL online meeting was held to update the community on the creative process for the new sculpture that will be coming to Ballyfermot People’s Park before the end of 2021.
Launched in July 2020, the Dublin City Council initiative Sculpture Dublin has been progressing with projects for new sculptures across the city, including the new People’s Park in Ballyfermot – located beside the Civic Centre.
Breda Marron is creating the new sculpture for the People’s Park
Breda Marron was the first artist to be selected through the Sculpture Dublin commissioning process.
Since then, Louth artist Breda has been engaged extensively with the local community including site visits and sculpture workshops with the local Mary Queen of Angels 2 Boys National School, FamiliBase, SWAAT (Supporting Women to Access Appropriate Treatment), Ballyfermot Chapelizod Disability Action Collective, Ballyfermot College of Further Education, Pigeon Fanciers, and Ballyfermot Adults Learning Together group.
Last week, a virtual online meeting was Chaired by local Cllr Vincent Jackson (Ind), and featured Programme Director Sculpture Dublin Karen Downey, city council Landscape Architect Suzanne O’Connell, Breda Marron and up to 26 people from local groups and organisations.
Cllr Jackson said: “We really had a great turnout, and I was excited to see the level of interest and enthusiasm for both the commission and the development of the park. Ballyfermot has such a distinct identity and sense of community and I’m very proud to see these values being reflected through public art.”
Breda Marron was “honoured” to have been chosen for the project and set out to “discover how the people of Ballyfermot connect to their sense of place and each other”.
“The feedback I have received so far has given me a deeper understanding about how generations of people have developed a unique community spirit through their strength, resilience, sense of humour and compassion for each other,” Breda said.
“I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to talk to and hear from primary and secondary schools, BCFE, youth groups, support groups, local heritage and active retirement groups.”
Any Ballyfermot resident who still wants to get involved in the public engagement element of the commission is invited to contact julia@sculpturedublin.ie
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