Market theme for new sculpture

HAVING spent years without Icarus looking down over Ennis’ market, The Clare Champion can, for the first time, reveal images of the new sculpture which is set to find its home on the market roundabout.

Icarus is set to land on the Rocky Road Roundabout this summer and it will be replaced in the market by a new sculpture by well-known local artist, Barry Wrafter.
The new sculpture, part of the Ennis Sculpture Trail Initiative, is set to be in place in June and will depict a market scene of a cow, farmer and another farmer with his dog.
Barry explained, “Because this sculpture is sited in the market area of the town, I decided to show a scene of the market from its hay day when livestock was traded there. It is in essence a day in the past brought to life in stone, the day when two men of the land meet to make a deal on a prime bit of livestock. It shows the two main protagonists finalising their agreement the way it was done back in the day with a spit in the hand, or the gesture to, then to shake on the deal.
“Because these three sculptures are free-standing and they are totally exposed to the elements, I decided not to make them in Irish limestone but in the closest stone I could get to it, a grey granite. I am using this for a number of reasons. The first reason being the most practical, I needed to open up the stone between the legs of the cow to show the udders so limestone would not have been suitable here because it would not have taken the weight or vibrations. The second reason is because limestone ages very badly with time. The downside to using this stone is it has destroyed most of my tools as it is like carving a diamond and the same fine detail cannot be achieved. Having said that, it has some great qualities too, the main one being that it will last hundreds of years,” he explains.
Barry believes the idea of spending money on a sculpture could have some detractors due to the current economic climate. “Our economy depends on technology, the service industry and entertainment. A region like Clare needs to attract the sort of people and companies who want to work here. Nothing is more inviting to a creative, educated and tax paying workforce than an outward symbol of civic enlightenment embodied in a piece of public art like this. It is a county’s ability to attract the creative class that gives us our competitive edge over others. Public art is a sign that innovative thinking is encouraged, diversity is tolerated and the county’s vital signs are strong. It in turn brings tourism to the county and with that comes the spill over of spending in local businesses, which support the cultural life of the community and, most importantly, it supports the regional economy by employing local people.”
He praised all those who helped him with the project including Ennis Town Council, Tommy Scott and Eddie Power for facilitating the ground work in the market as well as to Brendan and Joe Halpin and their team for their assistance in handling the stone.
Town Clerk Eddie Power confirmed there are plans to have the market sculpture, Icarus, and another sculpture in the Clonroad Park in place by June.
Ennis Town Council are preparing the base of the market roundabout to house the Wrafter sculpture. Mr Power described the new sculpture as “a substantial piece that is quite impressive”.
Mr Power also confirmed the market roundabout will still be the site for the town’s Christmas tree despite the new sculpture. “The sculpture won’t impede the installation of the Christmas tree in the market due to the positioning of the pieces of the sculpture,” said Mr Power.
For details of Barry’s work check www.barrywrafterfineart.com.