Sean O Dwyer : Artist

Backroad Devastation in the Hedgerows (Injured Old Man)

2012-02-08T17:08:00.001Z

I saw an old man today... covered in ivy, his upper limbs hacked away... only his torso showing. He was buried in the ground up to his hips . His hair stood on end. The last look on his face was that of shock. I stopped to listen as he said... "I stood here for many years"... the last words breathed from his injured trunk. He stand forever now, the long green fronds his leafy backdrop.

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Backroad Devastation in the Hedgerows

2012-02-08T16:45:00.001Z

Photo taken on theme of thresholds margins and boundaries

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Fin but not the end.

2012-01-26T13:53:00.001Z

Watercolour on paper 23 x 16 inches approx...Portrait painted during demo given at Meath Opportunities for Training course in Trim Co. Meath

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Through the Prism

2012-01-25T16:05:00.001Z

Photo study for sculpture installation

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What Is Sculpture?

2011-10-18T08:41:00.007+01:00

(A presentation introducing sculpture to students of sculpture course)

The Basis of sculpture is play. Its remembering when you were a child and remembering the feeling you had when you were immersed in your own world of make believe. I was 12 when Star Wars came out. I must have made models and drawings of every spaceship and character in the film. I used cardboard, toilet rolls, kitchen rubbish bottle tops, biscuit tins, old damaged toys, wire, airfix model kits, bostik glue, and just about anything I could get my hands on. I made my own fully functioning light sabre out of kitchen paper rolls painted silver and a detachable bamboo stick painted with luminescent paint.

Making sculpture is based on the same impulse that wanting to make your own toys as a child is based upon and we can see this very clearly in this video of American sculptor Alexander Calder demonstrating his circus.

I saw this in the Whitney museum in New York when studying as an Art Student many years ago. It had a profound effect on me. You can see that all of calder's "serious" sculpture emerges from this way of working and thinking. Its a completely natural way to think and be. Its naive and beautiful, it is innocent and charming. In many ways it is childlike. Being a sculptor means putting yourself in touch with this side of yourself. Your inner child. Being an artist means getting to know yourself. Everything you do as an artist emerges from this exploration. We depict an inscape of that world. This video delightfully shows an artist lost in themselves and contrary what we might expect when watching an artist at work, here we directly benefit from watching a theatrical display of this process in action.

Calder is true and honest in the portrayal of this inner action and we can only be delighted by the display it produces.

I remember as a child when I was ill I had a little jotter that I filled with small copperwire drawings selotaped into the pages. I didn't know I was making a transition from 2D to 3D. I was just doing something that came naturally to me. It was only years later I saw the wire sculptures of Calder

If you want to explore a simple way to make sculpture try it for yourself. Get a pliers , snips and any wire you can find, (strip down electrical cable if you need) and see if you can make forms that are familiar to you, a household pet, a farm animal or even a self portrait... It is a wonderful way of exploring most basic way of describing shapes and volumes. Recycling found materials is best. Maybe like Calder you can add different things like cork and wool to make these shapes even more alive.

A Better Sky

2011-08-26T20:21:00.001+01:00

Photo looking west over the Boyne Valley

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From Mullaghteelin

2011-08-08T20:38:00.001+01:00

Digital image

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"Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there"

2011-07-08T12:53:00.001+01:00

Digital image of installation with hand-painted box

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"The Winged Chair : An Invitation"

2011-07-07T15:58:00.001+01:00

Cast Carrera Marble, pigmented resin resin hand painted elements. Part of "Her Tent" installation

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"The Winged Chair (An Invitation)"

2011-06-23T00:20:00.001+01:00

Cast Carrera marble chair and other works in mixed media from installation called "Her Tent" works about the nature of inspiration.

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"The Inspiration Project" was launched by the Mayor of Drogheda. "The Winged Chair (An Invitation)" the centre piece

2011-06-23T00:16:00.001+01:00

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"Taking Flight"

2011-02-17T22:47:00.001Z

Reconstituted stone, design for paving slab.

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"....As The Dawn"

2011-02-17T22:43:00.001Z

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"In the Snow" Watercolour and Gouache Demo

2011-01-13T14:03:00.001Z

A sketch demonstration made inspired by walks around fields beside the old Mornington Church near Drogheda Ireland.

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"The Eagle Flies Across The Sun" Happy New Year 2011

2011-01-01T19:57:00.001Z

Digital Image taken on the hill at Mullaghteelin Co Meath

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"Her Footprints in the Snow"

2010-12-25T20:03:00.001Z

2nd Digital Image created Christmas Eve 2010

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"The Hem of Her Garment" Christmas Eve 2010

2010-12-25T19:54:00.001Z

Digital image created on Christmas Eve 2010. Evoking meanings surrounding romantic symbolism inherrent in nature.

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Article about Sean in the Drogheda Independent

2010-12-10T18:51:00.001Z

"Sean turns scrap into bronze art"

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"As a White Gold Horse in the Snow"

2010-12-06T20:33:00.001Z

a digital image based upon walk around abandoned farm buildings.

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Wheel of Life

2010-12-04T16:28:00.001Z

Travellers Pride Award Design. Patinated Bronze Casting

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From Scrap to Bronze. Making bronze sculpture from scrap bronze metal

2010-12-04T16:14:00.001Z

In my left hand is what I melted down to get what is in my right hand . A project completed at my own foundry in my Studio with James Hayes. Tnhe design is a commission for the Travellers Pride Award.

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Bronze piece emerging from the mould at the Perfect Vision Studio

2010-11-22T19:07:00.001Z

After the Bronze is poured the next step is to break it out of the investment mould. Here shown with last bits in white still to be removed with a wire brush. It lies in the removed material which is known as ludo.

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6 out of 12 moulds just poured in bronze.

2010-11-22T09:30:00.001Z

Looking down the cups of 6 moulds poured from recycled Bronze melted to 1200 degrees in our own furnace developed here in the Perfect Vision Studio.

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"Be Still"

2010-11-18T12:41:00.001Z

Watercolour with "sumi e" painting technique demonstration for group in Trim Co. Meath, from a view made during a walk in Carlingford.

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Twelve moulds ready for wax burnout

2010-11-14T17:34:00.001Z

In preparation for Bronze casting

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"At The Threshold" Installation Mill Street Studios Gallery Dublin

2010-10-18T20:31:00.001+01:00

"Artsquad 20 Years" exhibition.

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"The Kiste" portraying scenes from Her Journey. Cast pigmented resin wood and readymades in sitiu

2010-10-18T20:24:00.001+01:00

From the "Artsquad 20 years" exhibition mill street studios gallery Dublin.

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"Reflection" digital painting on cast pigmented resin frame

2010-10-18T20:20:00.001+01:00

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"Even here Her light guides me" cast resin panel on the back of the kiste

2010-10-13T23:27:00.001+01:00

In the underground chambers Her light fills the darkest corners.

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"At The Threshold" cast resin panel on one side of the kiste

2010-10-13T23:23:00.001+01:00

Standing at the threshold She looks up at the storm clouds.

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"Where we first met" cast resin from the front of the kiste

2010-10-13T23:20:00.001+01:00

Cast resin panel depicting " When we first met" a scene from Her journey.

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"As The Lioness" the top of the kiste

2010-10-13T23:18:00.001+01:00

Cast resin depicting one " A Scene from Her Journey" on the top of the Kiste.

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"In the Aether" detail from Kiste

2010-10-13T23:14:00.001+01:00

"Scene from Her Journey" one side of the Kiste

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"Scenes from Her Journey" Detail from installation.

2010-10-13T22:58:00.001+01:00

Cast white resin and wood box with five individually sculpted panels. Each panel depicts glimpses, different stages from a journey.

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Robin.

2010-10-08T14:47:00.001+01:00

Sumi-e painting of a Robin. Demonstration for workshop participants.

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"Of Her" large A2 Watercolour in Sumi-E

2010-10-07T19:21:00.001+01:00

A large watercolour in Chinese Sumi-E style with brush straight to paper. The image is inspired through romantic and classical ideas of beauty as being sought and discovered in images from Michael Cimino's "Heavens Gate" I980.

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The Vineyard of The Nietzschean Priest Just released my bookcover the design here is without the titles.

2010-09-26T15:18:00.001+01:00

Just putting up this original version of the image to accompany the cover with the titles.

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Just Published Bookcover Design for "The vineyard of the Nietzschean Priest"

2010-09-26T15:15:00.001+01:00

Written by Eamon Kiernan the cover I designed illustrates the spiritual journey undertaken by the main figure in the book. Hidden in the composition are elements awaiting discovery which you are welcome to seek out and find for yourself.

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"Red Autumn Trees" watercolour in sketchbook

2010-09-24T23:16:00.001+01:00

The field at the foot of Mullaghteelin Hill, Co. Meath.

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"Pages of Open Fields" watercolour in sketch book

2010-09-24T23:13:00.001+01:00

Looking out across the fields of Mullaghteelin Co. Meath, unfolding before me like the pages of an open book.

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The Writing is on The Wall

2010-09-16T13:13:00.001+01:00

Project MOT interpret Rembrandt's Belshazzar's Feast where " mene mene tekel upharsin " is presented as "The Writing is on the wall". A modern insight into the feasting at the table whereby over indulgence is being portrayed through substance mis-use.

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Preparing work for exhibition

2010-09-10T00:14:00.001+01:00

"The Threshold" work in mixed media bronze, resin, wood, painting, images, projected media. The work portrays an allegory the theme of inspiration.

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Sketching Inspiration a Perfect Vision Demo to download now

2010-09-04T15:57:00.001+01:00

Free PV Watercolour Sketching Demo Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npJwe0EUh8osupport materials at http://www.perfectvision.ie

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Sketching Inspiration an online watercolor demo with Perfect Vision

2010-09-04T15:55:00.001+01:00

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Just entering the Travellers Centre at Pavee Point to discuss another commission

2010-08-13T14:59:00.001+01:00

The outside of the Travellers Centre at Pavee Point Dublin where currently I am doing some commission work. Its a fascinating place, the Travellers Culture is full of symbolic traditions from the past and a way of life that brings us back to nature and the landscape.

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Ciaran maskmaking at MOT workshops. Dadaist inspired!

2010-08-12T13:06:00.001+01:00

Studying early Zurich Dadaists such as Sophie Taeuber-Arp , Janco and Schwitters. The MOT group explore the expressive potential of the mask and it's place as a device that acts as a conduit to inspire performance

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"Fireball over Carlow" pen and marker demonstration for workshop.

2010-07-29T15:08:00.001+01:00

Image created for demonstration of mandala making looking at jungian psychology in art. After I drew this I heard of fireballs that were spotted last night over Carlow and Baldoyle Dublin. Student works can be seen at http://www.perfectvision.ie

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Cycling home photo in half light

2010-07-26T22:25:00.001+01:00

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"Just now in the half light" a moment of freedom.... By the Boyne wind Blowing Blowing Blowing. Watercolour

2010-07-26T22:16:00.001+01:00

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"On the way back" small watercolour 10x5cm approx

2010-07-12T11:04:00.001+01:00

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Good Friday Morning

2010-04-02T20:46:00.001+01:00

Drawing with biro on paper 2nd April 10

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Unexpected Roadside View

2010-03-28T08:56:00.001+01:00

While waiting to turn right I caught a glimpse of this from the car. An unexpected surpise

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Craig approaches the last post

2010-03-25T13:48:00.001Z

Craig finishes his tracksuit

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Wills finished!

2010-03-25T13:46:00.001Z

Wills finished his portrait at last

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Will at work

2010-03-18T14:04:00.001Z

Will at work on his portrait

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Stephens self portrait

2010-03-18T14:03:00.001Z

Project MOT Trim with stephens work on his self portrait

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Waiting for Her: A still from Video

2010-03-10T03:24:00.001Z

A still from a video from a series of allegorical scenes

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One Wing

2010-03-08T17:51:00.001Z

One side of one wing cast being prepared for final sculpture

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Rubber and Resin Mould of the seat of "Her Chair"

2010-02-27T23:21:00.001Z

Rubber and Resin Mould of "Her Chair" showing the negative space of a mould.

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The marble casting of the back of "Her Chair"

2010-02-27T21:36:00.001Z

A casting in Carrera Marble of the the back of a section of a piece called "Her Chair"

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The back of the Her chair

2010-02-27T20:31:00.001Z

The cast of "The Back of Her Chair" emerging from the mould

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"I Am Here" 7 July 09, watercolour and biro

2009-07-07T18:32:00.001+01:00

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"unreality as a ruin" watercolour 29 may '09

2009-05-29T10:06:00.001+01:00

Study for sculpture and video piece

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"The Spring" watercolour and ink

2009-05-18T12:05:00.001+01:00

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"The Path" watercolour and ink

2009-05-18T12:03:00.001+01:00

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"Ashley and "blink" " pen and ink 4th May '09

2009-05-04T15:38:00.001+01:00

Quiet and calm.

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"To Lift The Heart", pen and ink, 29th April '09

2009-04-29T19:01:00.001+01:00

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Perfect Vision Academy and Artists Studios now open

2009-02-22T14:42:00.001Z

The Celtic Tiger is alive and well and walking the streets of Drogheda

2008-10-14T03:57:00.004+01:00

The Celtic Tiger is alive and well and walking the streets of Drogheda

That's how it is seen through the eyes of Artist Sean O'Dwyer in his latest large oil painting completed as Part of the "Scotch Hall Art Project"

" The Celtic Tiger is not just all about money", says Sean... "the Tiger can reflect our indomitable creative irish spirit. Through creative thinking we can overcome most difficulties and I wanted to paint the Tiger to reflect this idea despite all the bad news there is around at the moment. It all depends on how you look at it "

He recently painted the large 2.5 by 1.5 metre oil on canvas there in front of the public while in an "Open Studio" brought to a shopping unit in Scotch Hall Shopping Centre for two weeks as part of a unique and innovative project.

The piece shows a young angel (a portrait of his daughter Sorcha) sitting upon the Tiger with the famous local landmark of Millmount overlooking Drogheda in the background.

"I was thinking optimistically for the future and that's why I asked my daughter to pose as an angel for the work. I wanted to bring art to a busy place where people are going all the time and Scotch Hall was ideal for this. We can still make good things happen for ourselves. I brought my working practice to the centre in order that people can partake in the project and learn how to be more creative through workshops given there too.

"Being creative is good for the soul" the artist says." And thats what the Celtic Tiger is really all about as I see it"

So its not all bad news then!

Sean's Work will be on display to the public in Scotch Hall over the coming weeks.

See More of Sean's work at www.seanodwyer.com

A Five Minute Talk About Two Works

2008-10-14T02:05:00.007+01:00

A Talk given to fellow artists on the Masters Course (MFA1) at NCAD, Dublin Ireland on the 13th of October 2008.....

I love making art... It is a passion that reflects my deepest desires and longings. I feel what I make has a relevance in a world gone mad.

As Edvard Munch once said .. "Nature is not only all that is visible to the eye. It also includes the inner pictures of the soul" This is the landscape I try to paint and fill with objects that I make.

Indian Sculptors today when making their bronzes of their gods and goddesses always leave the engraving of the eyes until last because it is then that they believe that the presence of the God fills the work. This is a tradition that goes back thousands of years. It is out of this desire that they make their work in difficult conditions and with little profit. I believe like them that God peeps out at us through the works we make despite the huge difference the last century has made to the shapes and forms of art.

I hope that I make art not for my Self. I feel what I make can serve people in some way, not because of who I am, but despite who I am. Because that seems to be the nature of making things, its as if we reach across a divide when we make something... it feels as if we pull back from there something that is normally beyond the material grasp. We can surprise ourselves and others in this way. And God Knows we can all do with a few surprises.

The Ready Boat Pillar made for Howth County Dublin in 1996 surprised me when it had something of a Baptism of Fire when it came into the world. It was Launched By Gay Byrne who lives in Howth, The veil around it was set on fire ... The evening Herald rang me to let me know the next morning and wanted to get my reaction. I said I was shocked of course, but Secretly I was delighted ... The headline that day in the paper had a picture of Gay Byrne and the pillar that read... "Vandals hit "pillar" of Howth"..... It also had a photo of me with a large brush acid-etching away the burn marks from the surface of the pillar.. I'm there wIth a large smile on my face... Would they have noticed I wondered to myself, that I had ever made a sculpture if it wasn't for those vandals? I might try burning a few sculptures for my MA.

But thats the nature of public art and I learned a valuable lesson then. No man or woman is an island. We need an audience to function, its just another piece of proof that goes to show that Art does not serve the artist alone.

My work has always had a relationship with the public. I love showing the work I make when I can. Although I have ideas about the meaning of what I make I never assume that am the only one who knows what it means.

The second, very recent piece is called "The Traveller" it contains objects that I sculpted and drawings that I made that are literally worked into the piece. Its a recent work quite large and detailed. It is set in an apple orchard around this time of year. The woman has taken objects out of a wooden box she carries and has laid them on a cloth . Each object can symbolise something for the viewer. The woman's presence is central to the meaning of the work. Her relationship is with the viewer and I leave it to you to decide who "The Traveller" maybe. But this work exploits the different levels of reality that can be explored through the piece. There is the viewer that regards the work . There is the woman who is a representation of someone real and she looks upon the objects that are representations of sculptures I made ... then these lie upon drawings which represent other things. And yet they all co-exist in this space , in an eternal Now that changes only if you care to look closer. The representation can hopefully emphasise the change in ourselves as we look upon the piece and travel through it. The Piece will be exhibited along with other works in The Nora Dunne Gallery named after Ben Dunne's Mother. (Ben Dunne is former director of the family firm chain of Dunnes Stores Shopping in Ireland)

On that note, I look forward to travelling with you all here on our journeys through our own unique landscapes... I wish you well. Thankyou.

Sketchbook Videos

2008-09-23T02:14:00.004+01:00

New Work is now available to see on www.seanodwyer.com in the form of Sketchbook Videos. These works outline the development of ideas for paintings and sculpture and in many ways give a deeper insight into the meaning and symbolism of the paintings I make.

There is no way to put into words how ideas come in the form of images. Imagery by its nature is open to interpretation. Even when I think I know what an image means I often find out that it can be seen in an entirely new light because an aspect of it is revealed to me that I had not seen in it before. A good painting or drawing has several layers of meaning and if you look you can have meaning revealed to you rather like pulling away veils of silk one by one. This is why art captivates people. Even when they are not aware of it they are drawn to to it because they sense its ability as a medium to express something that goes beyond the everyday. These sketchbooks are presented in order to allow the viewer to peer deeper into the layers of meaning that holds relevence for anyone will to take a moment to stop and look.

Included here is one of the three videos on the website

www.seanodwyer.com SketchBK1, studies for "The Traveller"

"First Fire, Bronze casting takes place at Perfect Vision Workshops"

2008-06-17T17:45:00.001+01:00

The first stage of our Bronze on the Boyne project was completed when our kiln and furnace were put into action for the first time in a run through. James Hayes came along to oversee the completion of all the elements. At around 8pm on Saturday the 14th of June we had our first pour. Next will be our bronze sculpture elements. An integral part of the project will be the documentation of it, so we filmed the event.

Perfect_Vision_Bronze_Casting_First_Fire

"Bronze On The Boyne Update"

2008-04-27T11:01:00.003+01:00

Bronze on the boyne the mobile bronze casting foundry is now well into the early stage of set up. Presently we are waiting on delivery this week of crucial elements for the furnace and kiln build. This includes the crucible, an item which can explode with a report like a cannon if not made and minded properly... so getting a good one is very important. Other elements arriving ths week is the "superwool" a non carcinogenic insulation to line the kiln and the furnace. Safety is at the forefront of our minds in the creation of this project and we are researching and receiving the best advice combining it with our in-house experience.

"Bronze on the Boyne"

2008-03-31T01:14:00.000+01:00

“Bronze on The Boyne” is a unique mobile sculpture workshop project in the ancient bronze casting process. Travelling in the Boyne Valley area, it is designed for the general public, art students, artists symposia and all those interested in art and art history.

Inspired by the Rich Metalwork Heritage of the Boyne Valley “Bronze on the Boyne” is to be viewed by the public in open event demonstrations and public exhibition throughout the Boyne valley area of Meath and Louth. The project brings the participant from making a small clay sculpture into learning how to make a mould, preparing a wax and investing in a unique form of ceramic, into finally casting and finishing the piece in Bronze. Mostly using ancient technology, the project is led by artist Sean O Dwyer and is open to anyone who wants to learn and experience this pure and refined art of object making. We have already gratefully received some funding from Drogheda Borough Council and Meath County Council’s Arts Office. Information will be made available at www.perfectvision.ie

"The Traveller"

2008-01-22T17:57:00.000Z

I am presently working on a new large piece, an oil painting entitled "The Traveller". I have made about a 100 source images in order to create the sketches and layout of the design for this painting. This has involved the creation of 20 individual finished drawings that are incorporated into the final work. The drawings were made especially for the cloth that lays in front of the central figure and they depict a narrative that is open to interpretation by the viewer. The cloth has upon it a number of items which I have sculpted including a heart, a kylix, a bird and a dagger. There are other objects too, including an illustrated book, all of which encourage the viewer to find their own meaning within the piece. The Piece is quite large at 152 cm x 116cm.

The idea emerged from a sketch that began the idea when I was in Rome...... the painting has brought it much further. The idea came about when I was looking at roman floor mosaics where the mosaic floor would represent objects that would fall on the floor in a kind of play upon what was real and what wasn't. There were a number of these mosaics I saw it seemed to be a genre all of its own. Then the idea developed further and I saw in my minds eye a woman who was carrying a cloth on a journey with Her but when she opened out the cloth onto the ground the objects within it were not what you might expect. Like the mosaic the oil painting plays upon what we regard as real and what is not. Each object holds an important insight into what we regard as real about our "self", this is of course open to your interpretation .

"The Drogheda Boat : An Allegory"

2007-11-24T13:39:00.000Z

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

The Miracle Ship: A Response to Articles and Queries

2007-08-16T07:47:00.000+01:00

The Following is written in response to queries and articles in the local and national media. (see 38 minutes into this extract from Joe Duffy's Popular Irish RTE Radio One Show "Liveline" . The realplayer media link is below)

http://switchboard.real.com/player/email.html?PV=6.0.12&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;&title=25072007rte%2Dliveline&link=rtsp%3A%2F%2Fstreaming2.rte.ie%2F2007%2F0725%2F25072007rte%2Dliveline.rm

The radio item and articles refer to the images I have placed here for you to see.

The First Item ahows the Drogheda Indepenent Article that raised the rumpus and sparked 5 weeks of coverage in the form of other letters and articles and radio items.
The second is an image of the original painting discussed, "The Miracle Ship" 2 x 1.5m approx
Third: another later Article concerning the second painting entitled "The Miracle Ship Returns"
The last image is of , "Drogheda Past an Allegory" also mentioned in discussion.

Letter Printed in the Drogheda independent....

Dear Editor
I wonder if Cllr Paul Bell was accurately quoted in last weeks Drogheda Independent article on page 2 that featured the painting that was commissioned by OMAC Financial Solutions and Gale McEvoy and Associates called "The Miracle Ship"?

I say "I wonder" because I was not quoted correctly at all. I hope also he would not really like to take the painting I painted and bring it to the" recycling centre". That seems a little harsh, don't you think, especially since it is evident from the report that he hasn't even seen it. I feel that this attack on my good name and my motives in creating this painting is betraying an over-defensive stance. For I can say with hands on my heart that I was not even aware of the Westcourt Hotel's plaque commemorating Drogheda's link with Turkey on the wall in main street. But as I can now show, their plaque can rest on their wall easy for it is based in historical truth.

Once the plaque was mentioned in your paper I went down for the first time to have a look and I see nothing untruthful in what its says apart from the word Great in front of the word Famine. As Brendan Matthews from the Museum in Millmount has been kind enough to point out in his work that he has made available to your newspaper, there was indeed a famine during the siege of Drogheda in 1642 and on the 11th of January of that year at least 2 flat bottomed type of ships called, a Pinnace and a Shallop, managed to skim over the chains that were stretched across the port by the Ulster Gaelic Clans and Phelim O'Neill, chains that were placed there to stop any aid reaching the town via the river. These type of boats were often used by privateers and were referred to as "Turkish Men of War".

Ned Mc Hugh's book about Drogheda from 1790 to 1850 that you mentioned does not appear to cover this period as far as I know. I am sure along with the rest of the wonderful history of this town there will be many more surprises in store about for us about Drogheda's history. For this story about a Turkish ship is indeed soundly based on solid historical fact. The crests of King John and Richard the Lionheart , the people with whom, Tom Reilly claims, the true provenance of the star and crescent actually lies, cannot be substantiated by images of their crests where there is no star or crescent to be found. It is fair to say that the star and crescent can actually be found in pagan times as a symbol much associated with the sea. In fact we remember "The Star of the Sea" in its christianised form as one of the titles often given to the Mother of Jesus, a title given to my daughters Donacarney School. This of course, like many other christianised stories finds its roots in pre-christian mediterranean lands and legends. The Turkish flag has used the star and crescent since 1071 and one of its most prominent forms before then was as a symbol of the goddess Artemis in 667 BC. You can go back further to the ancient Sumerians to find it also in use there. Like most symbols its meaning is potent and contains more than one interpretation much like the symbol of the cross. Indeed it has become a symbol associated with the muslim religion.

However, who is to say that the people whose lives were saved by the miracle ship coming into Drogheda Port against all the odds, did not pass on the story of a Turkish ship to their children? Who is to say that those starving people did not associate the star and crescent from that time on with the same well recorded historic event? Even if the star and the crescent was already in use by the town surely seeing it on the flag of a ship that comes to save your life would make its meaning even more potent? Who would have forgotten such an omen? Local folklore always holds some grain of truth, like a pearl in an oyster.

I think it is wonderful that our town has such a strong association with Turkey. I feel Drogheda should celebrate its diversity as one of its strengths and its fascinating stories can help reinforce our identity and heritage. I am delighted to see that local people have taken the painting of the Miracle ship to heart and I hope they can see like the symbol of the star and crescent itself that there is much more than one meaning there. In fact a painting is like a mirror, each person sees in it a reflection of themselves.

As I can see that the local people of Drogheda are passionate about their history I have completed a second painting of "The Miracle Ship" this time portraying it in relation to the walls of Drogheda. I hope you appreciate my celebration of a theme which is romantic and inspirational to me.

One last thing. The Ricciardelli reference in your article to the painting of the Miracle ship is incorrect as it was the other painting I painted entitled," Drogheda Present : An allegory" , which refers to it directly and very accurately I assure you. Anybody can see these works on my website at www.perfectvision.ie and view for themselves whether or not it is historically accurate. They can view the original Ricciardelli "View from Balls Grove" in the Highlanes Gallery. Contrary to what you said last week in your report I am interested in history and I do research my subject well. In fact your article prompted me to look even deeper and thanks to Brendan Matthews we now have a well referenced source for our town's story of salvation. Perhaps Councillor Bell did not realise that my research, my work, and my motives were pure and founded on solid foundations ? I hope that like "The Miracle Boat" The Truth will escape any chains that try to hold it back .

Sean O'Dwyer, 23 July 07