Glass Christening Robe (for Oisin)

‘Christening Robe (for Oisin), 2009

‘Christening Robe’, (detail) 2009

Collection of Arts Council Northern Ireland

Suspended glass installation comprising of pate de verre elements, sand carved and slumped glass sheet

Dimensions: h120 x w90 x d15 cm

Date: 2009

This  piece is based on a Christening Robe that has been in my family for over a 100 years. During the years I was christening my children it hung in my room. It made me think about my ties to the past and my female lineage. I began to document who else had worn the robe and around this time the first wearer of the robe (my grandfather) died. This piece of fabric then became a link between the past, present and future and the delicate and fragile links that tie them together.