Our lastest Stained glass workshop was a success! If you are looking for something different this Christmas, why not come in and speak to us for more information or view our workshop details. 

The workshops are held in our Stained Glass Department and run on the last Saturday of every month from 10am until 5pm. During the session students will paint on glass approximately 12" x 12" using traditional glass painting techniques; the piece will then be kiln fired and students will take home their finished work.

We are delighted to be showcasing Ayelet's lastest creations in our studio this month. 

Ayelet was born in 1974, and studied at the NCAD, Dublin, graduating with a Honours degree in 1996, and a Masters in Ceramics in 2009 Ayelets' style is influenced by the streamlined graphics of Art Deco with references to classical sculpture. The exploration of the female figure is at the core of her sculpture. Working in clay, bronze and cement, she has developed her figurative sculpture,creating strong, striking forms alive with individual personality.

Ayelets' work has been commissioned both publicly and privately, and including the Percent for Art. Collections include the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Limerick City Gallery as well as numerous private
collectors.

The exhibition will be in the studio until the end of October.  Ayelet will be attending the opening night where you will be welcome to come and share some wine and conversation with us.

David was also inspired by the poem ‘A Kite for Aibhin’ by Seamus Heaney.  The kite is a metaphor for life which is raised by the wind, our experiences. The string of the kite acts like a life line connecting the deepest longings of life, death and beyond. Like the kite, life seems to ‘hover, tug, veer and dive askew’; life can dip or soar in the air streams.  The poem evokes childhood memories of a kite flying in a local landscape with gentle sloping hills in a place of clear water with hedges and trees stripped of their leaves ready for spring to begin a new cycle of life.

The story in the design begins with a sleeping figure having a ‘beautiful dream’ (small section top left).  Below this in the other small section, four people have their hands like spindles spooling the strings connected to their kites.  One figure is reeling in the string of his kite which has broken free, symbolising the breaking free from cancer whether through passing away and freedom from suffering or through the hope of healing and breaking free from the disease. 

In the main section there are four kites. The top left kite is soaring strongly with the wind, while the top right kite is ‘veering askew’ on the air stream, in the bottom right the kite is dipping towards earth symbolising the times in life when we feel low.  The middle kite is detached from its string with the freedom to be swept high on the wind symbolising a message of hope.  The kites are like ‘thin stemmed flowers’ reflecting spring, summer, autumn and winter; a reference to the changing seasons in the cycle of life.

In the centre of the design an alder tree is silhouetted against the sunset. Along with the round tower (middle left) this is a reference to the local area of Antrim. Two figures are talking together in the ‘comfort zone’ under the shade and protection of two trees.  There is a sense of warmth and love surrounding them. 

Below the figures is churning waters with six spirals, the six mile river and Lough Neagh reflecting the song,

  Take hold of my hand we’re moving over those churning waters…you raise me up

The two figures are hand in hand helping each other through the journey faced which is symbolised by the churning waters.

The dancing figures in the middle left section of the design reflect the dance of life; a sense of happy times shared.  Shapes like leaves and footprints dance across the design, ‘lets go crazy together dancing with our feet against the wall’.  This is symbolising the feeling of detachment we often feel in times of hardship as we follow a path unknown, however, like the pre-planned steps of a waltz we can follow the steps produced by MacMillan to guide us through these uncertain times.

The ‘mystery moon’ in the top section of the design evokes a sense of time and the hope of a ‘new dawn’; a time when any suffering will be behind us.  The open door in the right section of the design symbolises an exit from this difficult time; an image of hope that this hardship will not be endured forever, that it is a transient time in the cycle of life.

Three vertical divisions in the design help to emphasise time and a sequence of events reading from left to right.  It illustrates how every journey has a beginning, a middle and an end as can be seen by the dancing footsteps dancing across the window and out of the open door. Just like in song when we get ‘lost in the music… moving in lyrical rhythm’ in life we get lost in the circumstance and move through it.

The scene played out is rhythmic yet at its core evokes a sense of tranquillity and calm, safety and warmth that within the ‘tossing and turning’ when life seems against us we feel a sense of hope.

The overall theme of the window centralises on calm in the midst of turmoil.  The room where the window is situated is a space for reflection and quiet, my hope is that the people viewing this window will take hold of these emotions not only through the design but through the use of colours; calming greens and blues and hope revealed through yellows and oranges.

The Landscape Centre will be having a craft day this Saturday as well with a potter, a chainsaw sculptor and a basket weaver.  Come along for a great day out and view the workshop in progress.

The Harp represents Ireland, a coming together in harmony and shared experience while the oak leaves and acorns are to remind us that from small beginnings great things can grow reflecting a sense of enterprise in business.

The egg shape which gives the overall form of the design is synonymous with the artist, David Esler, present in many of his commissions, and reflects new beginnings, life and ideas.

The materials used to produce the award marry together the traditional crafts of Ireland and new technology.

Design by David Esler AMGP of leadlines & david esler stained glass studio based in Donegore, County Antrim.

David has developed a strong distinctive style of work; inspiration comes from poetry, nature and symbolism which influence the themes and narratives of each commission.

David possesses the ability to adapt his style dependant upon the commission. 

"I see my work more as 3D paintings.  The form is built up and sketched till almost flat, like a canvas, ready to take the drawing which will outline the head or portrait.  These flat heads are a representation of every day people of no fixed abode"

The proceeds of the raffle are being used to help with the building of the new MacMillan Specialist Palliative Care Unit at Antrim Area Hospital.

If you would like to help raise money for this worthwhile charity please contact Maria McGleenon at MacMillan who would be delighted to hear your fundraising ideas.