PETALS OF HOPE
Petals of hope
By GEMMA MURRAY
PETALS of Hope: Rays of Light, the unique art exhibition lovingly created from the sea of floral tributes left on the streets of Omagh last August, was opened yesteday in the Waterfront Hall by Belfast Lord Mayor Robert Stoker.
The very personal, heart-rending exhibits were designed and hand made by children from Omagh and Buncrana, local community groups and local women's groups under the close supervision of textile designer Carol Kane.
The exhibition contains three large pieces of floral art, eight foot by three foot designed for the people of Omagh, Buncrana and Madrid. These pieces have been individually titled using lines from Seamus Heaney's poem The Cure at Troy.
The 29 smaller exhibits have been designed specifically for each of the families of the victims.
Every single petal and stem of each floral tribute was stripped to create the wonderful pieces of art as a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives so tragically.
Included in the exhibition is a sample of the 800 books of condolence including two million signatures sent to Omagh since last August
Maurica Lavery, Omagh Council's public relations officer, said: "The books form part of the exhibition because they are rays of light, the comforting sentences, the poems, prayers - all written with Omagh in mind.
"The aim was to create some beauty out of tragedy and there have been several tears shed when the artwork was originally opened in March at Omagh Town Library and later in Buncrana. The exhibition has proven to be extremely popular with people from the local area and beyond."
Councillor Alan Rainey from Omagh, who spoke at the opening, said: "The people of Omagh have received an overwhelming response from the four corners of the globe by letter, phone, fax and e-mail. Thousands of floral tributes were also strewn along the streets for the victims of the tragedy.
"And seeing the flowers once again in such beautiful pictures is both a moving and poignant experience."
Carol Kane, the textile designer who supervised the event, said: "I feel that it is a great honour for me to be involved in Petals of Hope: Rays of Light. The work is a symbol of heartfelt concern for the people of Omagh.
"And it displays the tenderness other people feel for the families of the victims."
By GEMMA MURRAY
PETALS of Hope: Rays of Light, the unique art exhibition lovingly created from the sea of floral tributes left on the streets of Omagh last August, was opened yesteday in the Waterfront Hall by Belfast Lord Mayor Robert Stoker.
The very personal, heart-rending exhibits were designed and hand made by children from Omagh and Buncrana, local community groups and local women's groups under the close supervision of textile designer Carol Kane.
The exhibition contains three large pieces of floral art, eight foot by three foot designed for the people of Omagh, Buncrana and Madrid. These pieces have been individually titled using lines from Seamus Heaney's poem The Cure at Troy.
The 29 smaller exhibits have been designed specifically for each of the families of the victims.
Every single petal and stem of each floral tribute was stripped to create the wonderful pieces of art as a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives so tragically.
Included in the exhibition is a sample of the 800 books of condolence including two million signatures sent to Omagh since last August
Maurica Lavery, Omagh Council's public relations officer, said: "The books form part of the exhibition because they are rays of light, the comforting sentences, the poems, prayers - all written with Omagh in mind.
"The aim was to create some beauty out of tragedy and there have been several tears shed when the artwork was originally opened in March at Omagh Town Library and later in Buncrana. The exhibition has proven to be extremely popular with people from the local area and beyond."
Councillor Alan Rainey from Omagh, who spoke at the opening, said: "The people of Omagh have received an overwhelming response from the four corners of the globe by letter, phone, fax and e-mail. Thousands of floral tributes were also strewn along the streets for the victims of the tragedy.
"And seeing the flowers once again in such beautiful pictures is both a moving and poignant experience."
Carol Kane, the textile designer who supervised the event, said: "I feel that it is a great honour for me to be involved in Petals of Hope: Rays of Light. The work is a symbol of heartfelt concern for the people of Omagh.
"And it displays the tenderness other people feel for the families of the victims."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/216
Published Date: 22-Jun-99
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