The Aran Islands consists of three beautiful islands – Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oirr. These islands are full of culture, stories and art.
I was talking to a local artist on Inis Meáin called Damien, who I got to interview about what inspires him as an artist on an island that some may consider boring.
What I came to learn is the impact of weather, its importance for island life, and its influence on his art is due to the varying lighting and the fluctuation of weather throughout the year. We continued to discuss the great inspiration in the landscape and the fact that the island has so many different terrains and surfaces.
The social interaction which comes through the local pub hosting numerous local events and music on the island is a warming spark of comfort. The Irish language and the art still being passed down on the island came as a shock to Damien when he first came to the island. Its prevalence wasn’t well known to him until local celebrations such as Feila Na Puticín and Lá Na Cheapra.
In this discussion, the real inspiration turned out to be the cultural significance of the Irish language, heritage, and how it is nurtured on Inis Meáin. This is what artists, such as Damien are trying to show through their art.
One artist who was lucky enough to discover this secret was Harry Clarke. Clarke was one of the most influential stained-glass artists of his time and his work remains an important part of Ireland’s artistic heritage.
Born in Dublin in 1889, Clarke grew up surrounded by art. His father, Joshua Clarke, ran a successful church decoration and stained-glass business, which had a great impact on his life and his career. Clarke later studied at the Dublin metropolitan school of art, his talent stood out and instantly gained recognition for his originality and skill.
Clarke is best remembered for his stained-glass windows, known for their bright colours, fine detail and dramatic mood. His style was very distinctive and sometimes dark, drawing inspiration from gothic art, symbolism and art novena, unlike a lot of other artists at the time. Clarke’s figures were expressive with strong emotions and detailed faces. This gave his work a depth and made it very recognisable.
One of Clarke’s greatest achievements is his lasting stained-glass pieces all over Ireland in areas such as churches and public buildings. These pieces are now considered priceless pieces of art. One of these notable pieces is the stained-glass windows found in Bewleys in Dublin on Grafton Street which is valued at €1 million.
Inis Meáin’s local church of immaculate conception is home to one of Clarkes pieces – a piece containing bright colours and precise designs that stand out against the rugged landscape of the island.
Along with the stained-glass windows in the church, it is also home to another piece of precious history. The altar in the church was crafted and inserted by Padraig Pearse’s father, James in the late 1800s. This shows how those who are greatly regarded in our country’s history were able to see the uniqueness of the islands and have their own mark to help in its continued appreciation.
Although Clarke died young in 1931, his art still has a great influence on Irish art and the art on the island has been long-lasting.
