1845:Memento Mori
About
1845: Memento Mori is a Famine Memorial dedicated to the Irish Potato Famine. Made by Seattle based Irish artist Paula Stokes, this installation of 1,845 handblown glass potatoes, has taken 15 years to complete. The title of the project, references the year that the potato blight came to Ireland, marking the beginning of a period of mass starvation, disease and emigration. Over 1.5 million people died, and a further 1 million emigrated to Australia, Canada and America.
As a modern-day member of the Irish Diaspora, Paula Stokes reflects on her own history as an immigrant to examine historical events that have shaped the present. She has opened a dialogue on how one can learn from the past and in doing so hopes to elicit compassionate reflection that transcends the polarizing politics of our current time.
The form of the installation differs in response to specific locations, changing shape and volume depending on light, accessibility and exposure of each site. Finding context that is anchored in place, and its history, is part of how the work is uniquely created for each location. In previous installations it has taken the form of a cairn (a traditional stone pile). This presentation specifically implies a grave. Site visits and continued research form the evolving artistic exploration of this work.
1845: Memento Mori is not currently on public display. It has been acquired into the collection of the National Museum of Ireland where it will be displayed at the Museum of Decorative Arts & History at Collins Barracks, Dublin.
The installation will be featured as part of a future renovation within the full suite of the History of Ireland galleries, in a permanent gallery space taking a social, cultural and political approach to exploring Ireland’s history in the last 420 years.
Special thanks for the support from the Thomas Dammann Junior Memorial Trust, the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, Creative Ireland, and Galway County Council.
Link to exhibition catalogue:
All website image credits(unless otherwise stated): Ann Welch, 2019
Irish Workhouse Centre, Portumna, Co. Galway
Saint Patrick's Hall, State Apartments, Dublin Castle
National Museum of Ireland Country Life, Co. Mayo
Ulster American Folk Park, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum & Gardens, Co. Wexford, Ireland
Strokestown Park & the National Famine Museum, Co. Roscommon, Ireland
Jefferson County Museum of Art and History, Port Townsend, Washington
Making 1845: Memento Mori
METHOD Gallery, Seattle, Washington
Chimacum, Washington
