NEW BOOK DETAILS PETALS OF HOPE WORK
New book details 'Petals of Hope' work
A BOOK focusing on the "Petals of Hope" project, in which flowers left in Omagh in the aftermath of the August 1998 bomb at Market Street, were turned into paper artworks, has been launched.
The book is on sale in the Tourist Information Centre, in the town centre, and contains full colour glossy prints of artwork created by children and adults from the districts worst affected by the bombing.
The book was written by the artist in residence for the project, Carole Kane, with an introduction by John McKinney, the chief executive of Omagh District Council, and a foreword by Frank Sweeney, head of arts and tourism at the council.
Also contained in it are acknowledgments of those who took part in the project, thanks for the groups and organisations which assisted, and Ms. Kane's biography.
Among the work reproduced are the three large pieces made for Omagh, Buncrana and Madrid, and some of the small pieces which were turned into individual pieces of framed art for the families of those who were killed.
The 46-page book, which has been tastefully and sensitively put together, was published by Omagh council.
Speaking at the launch, the chairman of the council, Mr. Allan Rainey, said that those who saw the Petals of Hope, Rays of Light exhibition, could not fail to have been moved by the beautiful pieces of work and expressions of sympathy and horror expressed in the books of condolence received from across the world.
''For many people, their lives were irrevocably changed by the horrific events of August 15, 1998. The evil visited upon our town on that Saturday afternoon had far-reaching effects not only throughout the Omagh district, but also into neighbouring areas and as far away as Buncrana and Madrid," he said.
BOUQUETS
"The outpouring of public sympathy and grief, so evident in the many thousands of bouquets of flowers which were left in the streets of Omagh in the days and weeks after the bomb, was real and sustained," he added.
Mr. Rainey said that he was delighted that Ms. Kane was able to join the council for the launch of the book.
"Carole, together with her eager team of volunteers, drawn from schools, youth and community groups, from throughout the Omagh district and beyond, worked incredibly hard, to create paper from the dried flowers, petals and leaves.
"These were then transformed into individually designed pieces and each unique piece is dedicated to those who lost their lives in the atrocity," he said.
Mr. Rainey said there were many people who worked tirelessly to see the project brought to fruition, and added that it was heartening that out of something so negative and destructive that something arose that was creative and beautiful.
"To Carole and her team of dedicated volunteers we thank you for your creativity and diligence. I would also like to thank the staff of the arts and tourism department at Omagh council, in particular, Frank Sweeney and Jean Brennan for their input.
"I would like to place on record our gratitude to Nobel laureate, Seamus Heaney, for allowing us to use his words to accompany the three large art pieces and to photographer, Chris Hill, for his help in putting the book together," he said.
Mr. Rainey went on to thank the printers and publishers, Nicholson and Bass, who produced the book.
"I hope that each of you will find in the book, some degree of solace. I have read the book and even now I find the pictures evocative and moving.
"I trust that the book will help preserve the memory of the love and support of the many thousands of people who took the time to come to Omagh to lay flowers in memory of the 29 innocent lives that were lost and the many hundreds of people who were injured as a result of the atrocity," he added.
A BOOK focusing on the "Petals of Hope" project, in which flowers left in Omagh in the aftermath of the August 1998 bomb at Market Street, were turned into paper artworks, has been launched.
The book is on sale in the Tourist Information Centre, in the town centre, and contains full colour glossy prints of artwork created by children and adults from the districts worst affected by the bombing.
The book was written by the artist in residence for the project, Carole Kane, with an introduction by John McKinney, the chief executive of Omagh District Council, and a foreword by Frank Sweeney, head of arts and tourism at the council.
Also contained in it are acknowledgments of those who took part in the project, thanks for the groups and organisations which assisted, and Ms. Kane's biography.
Among the work reproduced are the three large pieces made for Omagh, Buncrana and Madrid, and some of the small pieces which were turned into individual pieces of framed art for the families of those who were killed.
The 46-page book, which has been tastefully and sensitively put together, was published by Omagh council.
Speaking at the launch, the chairman of the council, Mr. Allan Rainey, said that those who saw the Petals of Hope, Rays of Light exhibition, could not fail to have been moved by the beautiful pieces of work and expressions of sympathy and horror expressed in the books of condolence received from across the world.
''For many people, their lives were irrevocably changed by the horrific events of August 15, 1998. The evil visited upon our town on that Saturday afternoon had far-reaching effects not only throughout the Omagh district, but also into neighbouring areas and as far away as Buncrana and Madrid," he said.
BOUQUETS
"The outpouring of public sympathy and grief, so evident in the many thousands of bouquets of flowers which were left in the streets of Omagh in the days and weeks after the bomb, was real and sustained," he added.
Mr. Rainey said that he was delighted that Ms. Kane was able to join the council for the launch of the book.
"Carole, together with her eager team of volunteers, drawn from schools, youth and community groups, from throughout the Omagh district and beyond, worked incredibly hard, to create paper from the dried flowers, petals and leaves.
"These were then transformed into individually designed pieces and each unique piece is dedicated to those who lost their lives in the atrocity," he said.
Mr. Rainey said there were many people who worked tirelessly to see the project brought to fruition, and added that it was heartening that out of something so negative and destructive that something arose that was creative and beautiful.
"To Carole and her team of dedicated volunteers we thank you for your creativity and diligence. I would also like to thank the staff of the arts and tourism department at Omagh council, in particular, Frank Sweeney and Jean Brennan for their input.
"I would like to place on record our gratitude to Nobel laureate, Seamus Heaney, for allowing us to use his words to accompany the three large art pieces and to photographer, Chris Hill, for his help in putting the book together," he said.
Mr. Rainey went on to thank the printers and publishers, Nicholson and Bass, who produced the book.
"I hope that each of you will find in the book, some degree of solace. I have read the book and even now I find the pictures evocative and moving.
"I trust that the book will help preserve the memory of the love and support of the many thousands of people who took the time to come to Omagh to lay flowers in memory of the 29 innocent lives that were lost and the many hundreds of people who were injured as a result of the atrocity," he added.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1420
Published Date: 09-Dec-99
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