TITANIC SERIES

"To mark the centenary of the Titanic in April 2012, I was asked to participate in a small, collective exhibition in Portrush. The show included work from eight artists and reflected very different perspectives of the theme: "Titanic". I concentrated on the water: how it would have felt to have been submerged in the freezing temperatures and darkness, had the water swirl around and over those fighting for life, with its numbing chill and depth: the extreme fear and uncertain future."

Two hymns which inspire these pieces, reflecting pain and anxiety: "Nearer my God to Thee" and the "Deep, deep love of Jesus".

Intensive Care Department

Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry is home to work of five commissions by Carole. The first three pieces were inspired by the themes of “garden" and the book of Genesis “…the Spirit hovered over the surface…” 

Maternity Department

For this commission, she chose to work on images of Sunflowers. In the language of flowers, the dwarf sunflower means “Adulation”. Due to the bright colours, this theme seemed appropriate for the Maternity department of the hospital. 

She purposely choose these two images: one about to burst open and the other in full view. As in birth, the beginning can’t be forced and the bud has to wait until just the right time before it opens into the flower. This waiting time can be difficult but the promise of life is worthy of the wait.

Calm and stillness through the theme of Sky

Haematology and Oncology Department. 

For these pictures, Carole has looked beyond cloud formations and concentrated on the stars and surfaces of the planets. She used quite subtle colours and allowed them to bleed into each other. This is complemented by the medium of hand-made paper, as it allows the colours to mix and the texture becomes an important part of the pieces.

These are two images from a series based on “St Patrick's Breastplate” or the “Deers Cry”. They are now in the Maternity ward in the Ulster Hospital, Belfast

Omagh District Council commissioned these pieces for the three people involved in negotiating the wording for the Peace Garden in the town, which was opened on the tenth anniversary of the bomb in 2008. This was a delicate process where the correct words took on tremendous significance. In response, Carole felt that the words should be used within these pictures.

Seamus Heaney had written part of his poem, “The Cure at Troy”, in the book of condolence in Bellaghy Bawn in the days that followed the bomb in 1998. When asked, he gave permission for them to be used as the titles for the three large pictures which were made for Omagh, Buncranna and Madrid.

…”So hope for a great sea-change
on the far side of revenge

Believe that a farther shore is
reachable from here

Believe in miracles and cures
and healing wells…”

Seamus Heaney

This series was made shortly after Carole graduated from Art College in Dundee. It followed a short trip to Budapest and was based on architectural detail and most pieces included prayers. This also marked the beginning of a new and experimental stage involving a range of flora in hand-made paper with stitch.

These wire pieces were created in response to work produced in Art College and this piece in particular was inspired by the relationship between Ruth and Naomi in the Biblical book of Ruth.

Mentoring has always been a significant part of Carole’s life. There have been and continues to be a few significant people who have come along side to guide her through; whether it’s life in general or in her work. This piece reflects their support.