THE DROGHEDA BOAT: AN ALLEGORY an oil painting by Sean O Dwyer
This is a large oil painting commissioned by the Drogheda Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the discovery in the Boyne of a medieval coastal vessel of international significance currently being researched and examined by archeologists. Ten limited edition hand-painted prints of this work were specially framed and given as awards to celebrate the chamber's business excellence awards hosted by R.T.E. Telvision's news presenter Brian Dobson this year at the Boyne Valley Hotel.
Creator of the painting, local artist, Sean O Dwyer of Perfect Vision, has been to see this vessel and the storage barrels that were found with it in order to recreate it for the public to see. Although research is at an early stage, enough of the boat has survived to allow Sean to paint this view featuring a boat-crew and their cargo. Approved by Holger Schweitzer, archeologist from the department the environment, the painting was developed from drawings and notes taken by the artist directly from the the boat itself. The imagery of the work is full of movement and life and the models for the boat-crew depicted are people chosen by the artist who are living and working in drogheda from different walks of life and they include in their respective symbolic roles....
The Young Passenger: Amy Mc Guire
Fisherwoman: Marta Kasprzyk, Receptionist working in Drogheda.
Man with the Sails: Tom O'Reilly, Managing Director of Martin Butterly and Co. Shipbrokers Drogheda.
Boatwoman: Erica McCarthy, Archeologist, Finds Supervisor researching the boat.
Navigator: Patrick Reilly, journalist.
Oarsman: Self portrait by the artist.
Tillerman: Eugene Kierans, President of The Drogheda Chamber of Commerce.
The allegory portrayed reflects the different roles people take on in life and in business to negotiate its ebbs and flows successfully. The artist hopes that the people of Drogheda will take it to their hearts and he wishes to thank all those who gave of their precious time to help with its creation.
Sean O Dwyer
