ARTS COUNCIL CHAIRMAN UNVEILS OMAGH BOMB MEMORIAL ARTWORK
Arts Council chairman unveils Omagh Bomb Memorial artwork
The chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Ms Rosemary Kelly, unveiled the new piece of public art commemorating the victims and survivors of the Omagh bomb at Friday's memorial ceremony in Omagh.
Rosemary Kelly said: "It's an honour to unveil this work of art, which is a sensitive, respectful tribute to the victims and the families of those who died or suffered as a result the Omagh bomb atrocity.
"The glass obelisk at the site of the bomb in Market Street is a permanent monument to the lives that were destroyed on that dreadful day 10 years ago, whilst the new memorial 'Garden of Light' offers a haven for quiet reflection and remembrance."
The monument, created by Newry-born artist, Sean Hillen, consists of seven thick glass sheets glued together, encasing a crystal heart. The heart catches light projected from sun-tracking mirrors at the memorial garden at Drumragh Avenue, designed by Dublin-based landscape architect, Desmond Fitzgerald, so bringing light to an area of Market Street that is almost constantly in shadow.
"The use of light in the sculpture represents redeeming human values and a nation's compassion in the face of the suffering inflicted by the Omagh bomb."
The Omagh bomb memorial was commissioned by Omagh District Council with funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland's Lottery Fund.
The chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Ms Rosemary Kelly, unveiled the new piece of public art commemorating the victims and survivors of the Omagh bomb at Friday's memorial ceremony in Omagh.
Rosemary Kelly said: "It's an honour to unveil this work of art, which is a sensitive, respectful tribute to the victims and the families of those who died or suffered as a result the Omagh bomb atrocity.
"The glass obelisk at the site of the bomb in Market Street is a permanent monument to the lives that were destroyed on that dreadful day 10 years ago, whilst the new memorial 'Garden of Light' offers a haven for quiet reflection and remembrance."
The monument, created by Newry-born artist, Sean Hillen, consists of seven thick glass sheets glued together, encasing a crystal heart. The heart catches light projected from sun-tracking mirrors at the memorial garden at Drumragh Avenue, designed by Dublin-based landscape architect, Desmond Fitzgerald, so bringing light to an area of Market Street that is almost constantly in shadow.
"The use of light in the sculpture represents redeeming human values and a nation's compassion in the face of the suffering inflicted by the Omagh bomb."
The Omagh bomb memorial was commissioned by Omagh District Council with funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland's Lottery Fund.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC10An/50
Published Date: 21-Aug-08
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