Over and Under

Born in Northern Ireland, Eilis O'Connell has Studied in America and Europe. Her work is collected extensively around the world, and has won a host of awards including the 1996 Wapping Art Trust "Art and Work Award" for Nyamo. She was Visual Artist of the Year in 1990 (Sunday Tribune, Dublin ). In 2000, Eilis had a successful show in Cork.

Over and Under
	By Eilís O'Connell

Over and Under Series No.IV, as seen by the artist. "In 1999 I had a solo show at Newlyn Art Centre in Cornwall, where Lord Hartington first saw this piece. The title comes from the process of bending and twisting plywood under and over each other, in an effort to create forms strong enough to withstand the pressure of sand moulding for bronze casting.

This sculpture has already become part of the space it occupies. It is an ideal site, it holds the sculpture. As one approaches it, the horizontal ridges on the outer surface create the impression of sculpture drawing itself within the space. One is drawn towards the cave like space within; I see these kinds of space as an extension of the body, an extra shell os layer to protect the human spirit. Lord Hartington thought of this site when he saw the sculpture, thanks to his imagination and commitment this was a truly creative collaboration"