Reflections on Heaney plays on a bookend motif and features NEVER FEAR and NOLI TIMERE on the left and right forms of the piece, respectively. The left form features the reference "Scaffolding 1969" from Heaney's first collection, with the right form containing the reference "SMS 2013" and what are famously Heaney’s last words.
Given the artist’s background as a mathematician, the concept of symmetry is a powerful one and numerous allusions to symmetry have been incorporated into this work; the left and right forms, the meaning and sentiment expressed at either end of a career, the syllabic structure of the words and even in the title itself given that a reflection is a form of mathematical symmetry.
Reflections on Heaney is realised in A-grade birch plywood with the laminations giving the suggestion of book pages.
The piece is expertly cut by artisan woodworkers in Heaney’s native County Derry and given that the Irish for Derry is Doire, which means Oak Grove, then it is very fitting that the piece is assembled with oak dowels as well as making use of traditional hammer-tenon joints which align to give a pleasing "H" detail. The piece is hand finished in linseed oil and beeswax.
How to Purchase Reflections on Heaney
Each piece is part of an edition of 500 and is numbered and signed by the artist.
Note that each piece is handmade-to-order and takes between 4 and 6 weeks to reach you.
To purchase Reflections on Heaney please submit your payment of €395 via the PayPal link below, including your email and postal address and I will reach out to you within a few days to confirm payment, postal details and to give you an estimate of when you should expect to receive your individually numbered and signed piece.
(In case there is any ambiguity my copy of Field Work in the uppermost photograph is not included in the purchase!)