The last time that I photographed my old friend the Beach Bear I mentioned that he had turned green maybe because of the salt from the sea. Today I noticed that the green surface that he once stood/walked on has been removed.
I really like this bear who appears to be on a mission to enjoy themself at the beach. However, a number of local residents have complained that the sculpture is inappropriate in an area of protected architecture and sweeping marine views and others have complained that the bear will scare young children as it is too aggressive “marching fast with its outsized feet it cuts a swastika like shape against the sky”.
The bear was donated to Greystones Tidy Towns Committee by local property developer and guardian of the National Gallery of Ireland, Dermod Dwyer. Mr Dwyer donated the bear in memory of his daughter, Caroline Dwyer Hickey, a teacher at the local St Brigid’s school, who died well before her time.
The Caroline Foundation set up by Mr Dwyer raises money for cancer research at St Vincent’s hospital.
I would visit Greystones to meet this guy … what about you?
The artist Patrick O’Reilly was born in 1957 in Kilkenny. At the age of 17 he studied at the Art College of Belfast, but left after on year.
MY OLD FRIEND THE BEACH BEAR [A BEAR WITH ATTITUDE ON HIS WAY TO THE BEACH IN GREYSTONES]-225941-1
MY OLD FRIEND THE BEACH BEAR [A BEAR WITH ATTITUDE ON HIS WAY TO THE BEACH IN GREYSTONES]-225940-1
MY OLD FRIEND THE BEACH BEAR [A BEAR WITH ATTITUDE ON HIS WAY TO THE BEACH IN GREYSTONES]-225939-1
MY OLD FRIEND THE BEACH BEAR [A BEAR WITH ATTITUDE ON HIS WAY TO THE BEACH IN GREYSTONES]-225938-1
MY OLD FRIEND THE BEACH BEAR [A BEAR WITH ATTITUDE ON HIS WAY TO THE BEACH IN GREYSTONES]-225944-1
MY OLD FRIEND THE BEACH BEAR [A BEAR WITH ATTITUDE ON HIS WAY TO THE BEACH IN GREYSTONES]-225943-1
MY OLD FRIEND THE BEACH BEAR [A BEAR WITH ATTITUDE ON HIS WAY TO THE BEACH IN GREYSTONES]-225942-1
I am not happy with this series of six photographs but I decided to use them anyway as I hope to photograph all twelve sculptures over the weekend or, failing that, the following weekend on my return from Belfast.
I have always liked the “bears” [my young niece referred to them as the bears with attitude] but, in my opinion, the jockey ruins the image and the sculpture. There is little room for attitude with a man on your back … however, I will leave it to you to decide.
My understanding is that Patrick O’Reilly has designed twelve life-size works for an outdoor sculpture trail which has been installed at six locations in the heart of Dublin. Depending on your point of view the trail begins at Gormleys Fine Art, 27 South Frederick Street, and continues to Merrion Square Park, the Merrion Hotel, St Stephen’s Green, Grafton Street to end at Capel Street outside the Hanoi Hanoi Vietnamese restaurant.
Patrick O’Reilly (b. 1957 Kilkenny, Ireland) is a highly acclaimed Irish artist who studied at the Belfast school of Art. He has since achieved international fame for his innovative and dynamic visual works, having exhibited throughout Ireland & Internationally for over two decades.
His work is included in many international museums and important private collections & in 1996 he had a solo exhibition in the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery in Dublin. His has also won many awards including the RHA sculpture prize.
O’Reilly’s works are not only philosophical expressions of thoughts and experiences but also reflect his feelings, emotions, and personality. Monumental large-scale public commissions have allowed his sculptures to become much loved parts of the local landscape particularly in Ireland, with prominent sculptures standing outside the 3 Arena, Adare Manor, Burlington Road & Sandycove, Dublin. However, his work can be found all over the world including, a Strolling Bear in Paris and a bear wearing a tutu in Cape Town (Castle of Goodhope, 2004).
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