Heritage members attend prestigious event

Members of the Heritage Sub-Committee of Lorrha Development Association were privileged to be invited to the launch of the exhibition, Imogen Stuart ‘In Her Hands’ on Tuesday, December 6. This was held in the newly renovated church of the John Henry Newman building at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.

The exhibition was opened by the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, who was accompanied by his wife Sabina.

President Higgins commented on the appropriate setting for such a special event. He added that “as a nation we can be deeply grateful to Imogen for her great spirit of generosity and for the rich wealth of public art which has so enhanced our society”.

In 1976, Imogen Stuart was commissioned to sculpt the Altar, the Presider’s Chair and the Ambo in St Ruadhán’s Church, Lorrha. This work was celebrated in August 2022 by the LDA Heritage Sub-Committee, when Imogen, accompanied by her daughter Aisling Law and fellow-sculptor, Niall O’Neill, were guests of honour to celebrate Heritage Week.

During the exhibition, heritage members had the opportunity to present to Sabina Higgins, a superbly illustrated brochure, which outlines Imogen’s art work in St Ruadhán’s Roman Catholic Church, Lorrha. The brochure was designed by Peter Seman for Lorrha Heritage week 2022.

Imogen is a gifted sculptor working with a variety of media as mentioned in a poem written by Anne Marie Hough for Imogen’s visit to Lorrha earlier this year “shape and carve from mother earth, the point of stone and steel, weft of wood and turf, cast of glass and bronze”.

The new exhibition contains over 40 pieces of her art.

Professor Eugene Wall, President of Mary Immaculate College, informed those present that MIC has had a long and illustrious relationship with Imogen Stuart, a relationship which began in the 1950s when the Sisters of Mercy commissioned three works for the college.

Imogen, who is 95 years old, spoke at the launch, saying that it was her largest exhibition yet. The sculptor’s career spans over seven decades.

The daughter of an art critic and author, Imogen was born in Berlin in 1927. It was while studying after World War II, she met fellow student, Ian Stuart, grandson of Maud Gonne. They married in 1951 and lived in Laragh Castle, near Glendalough, County Wicklow. Imogen developed a keen interest in Ancient Irish Art, Christian literature and poetry, all of which acted as inspiration for her creativity.

Her work now graces churches and public spaces across Ireland.

Imogen Stuart In Her Hands will remain open to the public until January 31.