Home: Portraits from Clocha' Rince - paintings of the residents from Ard Carraig, Clocha' Rince

Artist Name(s) Christopher Banahan
Artwork title Home: Portraits from Clocha' Rince - paintings of the residents from Ard Carraig, Clocha' Rince
Context/Background Home: Portraits from Clocha Rince - paintings of the residents from Ard Carraig, Clocha' Rince is a project by artist Christopher Banahan, commissioned as part of the Department of the Environment and Local Government Per Cent for Art Scheme, for a small local authority housing development in Clocha' Rince', North Kildare.

Description

Clocha' Rince is a small rural village in North Kildare, mainly consisting of a National School and a Church. It is a hidden, leafy, quiet and secluded hamlet with a very small but established community - a consideration when a new community was arriving. Sixteen houses were built in a small estate near the school and centre of the village which now accommodates the new residents. The school is the centre of the community and many community events are held there. Kildare County Council Library Service also recently worked in partnership with the school to open a Community Library facility for the school and wider community.

This portrait project set out to involve and introduce the new residents to each other and 'share a moment' with each other. One of the new residents, a photographer, became involved in taking photographs of each of the residents that Banahan then worked with. Her images reflected an 'insider's eye' and captured an intimate moment of each resident in their new home. Banahan then proceeded to realise each of the works: paintings on board the size of a house brick. Later these were presented to the new residents.

The exhibition and launch of the project in the local school sought to bring together the community and also introduce them to the existing community by way of the familiar faces now linked with their physical portraits. A publication was also created to record the project, showcasing and naming each participant. Each member of the community also received a type of year book to develop links and familiarities. 

Mediation

A launch was held and a catalogue, and  a publication on the project were published.

Biographies

Banahan was awarded a first class honours B.A. Degree, from Nottingham Trent University (1981), and received an M.A. in Fine Art from Goldsmiths College, University of London (1984). In 1990 he received a Rome Award in Painting, from the British School of Rome. He has lived in Ireland since 1993, and has received numerous awards from the Arts Council of Ireland. He has represented Ireland in numerous international art exhibitions, including Contemporay Art from Ireland, held at the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, (May 2005). In Ireland he is represented by the Hallward Gallery, Dublin. He has had his paintings selected for several open competitions in Ireland including E.V. + A in Limerick and the R.H.A. Annual Open, Dublin.

Commissioner Name Kildare County Council
Commissioning process A panel was created from open competition and then direct invitation from that panel was applied to suit the project.
Project commission dates January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2007
Public Presentation dates January 1, 2008 - April 1, 2010
Artform Visual Arts
Art Practice Arts and education
Percent for art Yes
Budget Range 10000 - 30000 euro
Project commission start date 01/01/2005
Project commission end date 01/01/2007
Location Ard Carraig, Clocha' Rince, Co.Kildare
County Kildare
Town Clocha' Rince
Street Address Ard Carraig
Google Map Insert View this projects location
Website www.kildare.ie/arts/artsservice/2008/10/home_portraits_from_cloche_rin.asp
Content contributor(s) Rina Whyte
Relationship to project Public Art Coordinator
Associated professionals / Specialists involved

Local Authority Arts Officer, Local Authority Architects, residents and Kildare County Council.

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Nazareth Housing Association provides independent living houses for individuals and couples who are 65 and over and on the Sligo County Council housing list.  Nazareth Village is comprised of 48 houses in a garden setting.  The Village was financed as a public-private partnership between Nazareth Housing Association and Sligo County Council with funding from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.  

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