Opportunity for Visual Artists: Artwork Commemorating Liam O’Flynn
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST INVITED: ARTWORK COMMEMORATING RENOWNED UILLEANN PIPER LIAM O’FLYNN
Liam O’Flynn (15th Sept. 1945- 14th March 2018) was a renowned uilleann piper and traditional musician. He was acknowledged as Ireland’s foremost exponent of the uilleann pipes and brought the music of the instrument to a worldwide audience.
In addition to a prolific solo career, O’Flynn was a member of Planxty, who won the Best Folk/Traditional Act at the Irish Music Awards 2005. His creative collaborators include Mary Black, The Everly Brothers, Kate Bush, Andy Irvine, Emmylou Harris, Mark Knopfler, Dónal Lunny, Christy Moore, Sinéad O’Connor and Mike Oldfield.
‘The Brendan Voyage’ was Shaun Davey‘s first major orchestral suite in 1980, composed for uilleann pipes played by Liam O’Flynn. It depicts Tim Severin’s adventure in reconstructing Saint Brendan’s 6th century Atlantic crossing to America. This was the first musical collaboration between an Irish solo uilleann piper and a classical symphony orchestra.
In 1997, he composed and performed ‘An Droichead’ for the inauguration of the President of Ireland, Mary Mc Aleese.
In 2003, with his friend, poet Seamus Heaney, he produced ‘The Poet & The Piper’, an album of instrumental tracks and spoken poetry, including An Bonnán Buí, one of the oldest known Irish traditional songs.
In 2007, O’Flynn was named Musician of the Year at the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Awards, considered to be the foremost recognition given to traditional Irish musicians.
To commemorate Liam O’Flynn’s life and to celebrate his extraordinary contribution to music in his birthplace of Kill, County Kildare, it is intended to commission an original artwork, to be placed in the Parish Park in Kill, by kind agreement of the Parish Committee. The commission is led by Liam’s wife Jane, with his family and friends. The commission will take place by a 2 Stage process, outlined below.
COMMISSION BRIEF
SPECIFICATION
The artwork will be a permanent feature and should be made from a durable material. It is envisaged that the commissioned artwork will reflect Liam’s musical contribution and his traditional nature. It is not intended to use portraiture/a figurative representation of Liam.
BUDGET
The budget for the commission is in the region of €60,000*. The budget will include artists fee, materials, insurance, expenses, transportation, foundations, installation, VAT and any other costs. The artist will be responsible for their own tax affairs.
*Subject to funding being secured.
TIMELINE
Commission announced September 2023.
Expressions of interest by 12 noon Wednesday 1st November 2023.
Artists who have been selected to develop ideas to Stage 2 will be notified by Monday 6th November.
It is intended that the finished artwork will be unveiled at the Festival in 2024.
STAGE 1
If you are interested in applying for the commission, please send
- an up to date Artist CV
- letter outlining your interest in this project and the relevance of your work to the commission
- Photographs/documentation of at least 3 previous artworks that you have produced, with information about the brief, budget, materials, dates and timeline and commissioner, if applicable.
- Applications from emerging artists are welcome, but artists who are selected for Stage 2 should demonstrate that they have the ability to deliver a project of this scale.
to memorialliamoflynn@gmail.com
by 12 noon Wednesday 1st November 2023. Please do not send specific proposals for the commission at Stage 1.
A selection committee will short-list a maximum of 4 artists to Stage 2. Artists who have been shortlisted to Stage 2 will be notified by Monday 6th November.
STAGE 2.
4 artists will be invited to prepare a detailed proposal, with visuals, a rationale, budget and timeline. Artists will be expected to confirm their ability to secure relevant insurances.
Deadline for receipt of proposals for Stage 2 is 12 noon Monday 8th January 2024.
Artists who submit a proposal to Stage 2 will be paid a fee of €200.
Completed artwork to be installed by October 2024 at the latest.
Queries to: memorialliamoflynn@gmail.com T:045 980319, M: 087-6996234 (email queries preferred).
