Famine Walk

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Dimensions - 93cm (high) x 72cm (long) x 17cm (width)

Weight 2.20 Kg

The slender pieces of bog oak of varying length fell to the workshop floor when I was sculpting another piece. When I stacked them they were like steps of stairs or young children in a family. I profiled the largest piece into a human form silhouette and this evolved into a family of a couple and two children. The base compliments the walking theme as the direction of travel is sloping down and away in to the unknown. For some reason the piece evokes an image for me of the infamous famine walk of hundreds of starving and destitute people and families from Louisburgh to Delphi in Mayo via the magnificent Doo Lough valley. Many people including women and children perished on this tragic journey. The slenderness and matchstick profile represents the hunger but the straight back profile represents a defiance and dignity.