CLOSE KNIT PROJECT ENCOURAGED YOUNG TO FIND VOICE OF HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
Close Knit' project encouraged young to find voice of hope for the future
by Julie Moore
Local artist, Teresa Poyntz, spoke of her own motivation behind the art piece unveiled in Omagh Community House on Friday which was created as a permanent reminder of the creativity and positive dreams of the young people of Omagh - 10 years on from the Omagh bomb of August 1998.
"Because of my own personal involvement in the Omagh bomb, when myself and my children were injured that day, I knew that I wanted to do this piece. I have never worked on such a huge scale. I hardly slept last night thinking about it. The final stitches were being added to it this morning so it was a lot of work!"
The artist, who received injuries to her elbow along with shrapnel to her body, said that she had taken comfort in the project, allowing her own thoughts along with the thoughts of the young people who were involved in the art piece, to have a voice.
Over 20 young people from both sides of the community worked together, along with Teresa to create 'Close Knit', including Darren McConnell, who attended the official unveiling.
"I'm very pleased to see the final piece," said Darren.
The young student revealed that a lot of hours went into creating the work of art, including shrinking the velvet canvas on which the theme of sunlight and reflection now resonates through the entrance hall of the Community House.
"I was involved in a lot of the stitch work for the sun piece. I first heard about the project from Marie Gallagher and I wanted to get involved. I really enjoyed working on it and I think it's a great piece."
The inspiration for the stunning piece of work was a headline that appeared shortly after the Real IRA car bomb attack, which read: 'This morning in Omagh, the sun rose again'.
The acronym OMAGH on the first piece spells out a positive message to everyone and is further echoed in the words and sentiments of the young students.
The second wall hanging comprises 10 pieces which are representative of the 10 years since the Omagh atrocity and are an attempt to capture the mood and atmosphere of the town, shown by the gradation in colour, from dark to brighter, more positive colours.
Each piece was machine made and hand-stitched, with some Spanish phrases incorporated into the design, to remember the Spanish pupils who lost their lives on that now infamous day.
Radio personality, Frank Galligan, who officially welcomed everyone to the unveiling revealed his own memories of that horrific August weekend.
"The day of the Omagh bomb will be forever embedded in my mind. Even hardened journalists were lost for words that day. But I am glad to see today that destruction has turn to construction. And it is wonderful to think that the vision of so many people has been made possible in this art piece."
The Duchess of Abercorn, patron of the Omagh Community Youth Choir, explained that at the beginning of this year, a plan was put in motion to encourage young people to find their own voice of hope for the future.
She said: "After the special event that marked the 10th anniversary in January in the Silverbirch Hotel, we all felt we wanted to hear more from these young people, and give them a voice.
"The choir have done a great job, they are ambassadors for this town, they have been a voice for us and that voice has been heard all around the world. But what about the young people living in Omagh now.
"So we had a youth day in Baronscourt and came up with a lot of incredible ideas, our only worry was how we would put these into action. But Teresa has given all our thoughts shape and form -1 think she is a magician!"
In thanking the young students for all the hard work during the project, Teresa added that she was extremely pleased to see the end product.
"I know how much I relied on counsellors and different agencies in the town after the bomb, and I think as much as this piece is a very public work of art, it is also a very personal piece for me. And although it is very colourful it doesn't minimise the suffering that people are going through and those who are bereaved. My thoughts are with them. I do feel it is testimony to everyone and how much they have moved on."
by Julie Moore
Local artist, Teresa Poyntz, spoke of her own motivation behind the art piece unveiled in Omagh Community House on Friday which was created as a permanent reminder of the creativity and positive dreams of the young people of Omagh - 10 years on from the Omagh bomb of August 1998.
"Because of my own personal involvement in the Omagh bomb, when myself and my children were injured that day, I knew that I wanted to do this piece. I have never worked on such a huge scale. I hardly slept last night thinking about it. The final stitches were being added to it this morning so it was a lot of work!"
The artist, who received injuries to her elbow along with shrapnel to her body, said that she had taken comfort in the project, allowing her own thoughts along with the thoughts of the young people who were involved in the art piece, to have a voice.
Over 20 young people from both sides of the community worked together, along with Teresa to create 'Close Knit', including Darren McConnell, who attended the official unveiling.
"I'm very pleased to see the final piece," said Darren.
The young student revealed that a lot of hours went into creating the work of art, including shrinking the velvet canvas on which the theme of sunlight and reflection now resonates through the entrance hall of the Community House.
"I was involved in a lot of the stitch work for the sun piece. I first heard about the project from Marie Gallagher and I wanted to get involved. I really enjoyed working on it and I think it's a great piece."
The inspiration for the stunning piece of work was a headline that appeared shortly after the Real IRA car bomb attack, which read: 'This morning in Omagh, the sun rose again'.
The acronym OMAGH on the first piece spells out a positive message to everyone and is further echoed in the words and sentiments of the young students.
The second wall hanging comprises 10 pieces which are representative of the 10 years since the Omagh atrocity and are an attempt to capture the mood and atmosphere of the town, shown by the gradation in colour, from dark to brighter, more positive colours.
Each piece was machine made and hand-stitched, with some Spanish phrases incorporated into the design, to remember the Spanish pupils who lost their lives on that now infamous day.
Radio personality, Frank Galligan, who officially welcomed everyone to the unveiling revealed his own memories of that horrific August weekend.
"The day of the Omagh bomb will be forever embedded in my mind. Even hardened journalists were lost for words that day. But I am glad to see today that destruction has turn to construction. And it is wonderful to think that the vision of so many people has been made possible in this art piece."
The Duchess of Abercorn, patron of the Omagh Community Youth Choir, explained that at the beginning of this year, a plan was put in motion to encourage young people to find their own voice of hope for the future.
She said: "After the special event that marked the 10th anniversary in January in the Silverbirch Hotel, we all felt we wanted to hear more from these young people, and give them a voice.
"The choir have done a great job, they are ambassadors for this town, they have been a voice for us and that voice has been heard all around the world. But what about the young people living in Omagh now.
"So we had a youth day in Baronscourt and came up with a lot of incredible ideas, our only worry was how we would put these into action. But Teresa has given all our thoughts shape and form -1 think she is a magician!"
In thanking the young students for all the hard work during the project, Teresa added that she was extremely pleased to see the end product.
"I know how much I relied on counsellors and different agencies in the town after the bomb, and I think as much as this piece is a very public work of art, it is also a very personal piece for me. And although it is very colourful it doesn't minimise the suffering that people are going through and those who are bereaved. My thoughts are with them. I do feel it is testimony to everyone and how much they have moved on."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC10An/14
Published Date: 14-Aug-08
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