Guiding Light / Solas Treorach | 2024 | Clear cast polyester resin, stainless steel. 3.5m x 2.6m x 60cm

Permanent commission, Ardgillan Community College, Balbriggan, Dublin. Curated by Jennie Guy. Photography Brian Cregan.

Guiding Light / Solas Treorach is a permanent sculpture that celebrates Ardgillan Community College’s sense of community and resilience through the concept of light. The work recreates the nine pillars at the entrance to the school, translating a sense of ‘support’ from the architecture into a curved structure of linear steel bars joined by panels of clear cast resin, drawing light through the connection points of the sculpture. The work recognises and honours the strong ethos of collectivity and community that is integral to the school, materialising an idea of strength in togetherness. The panels contain speculative ‘fossils’ that may be found at Ardgillan in the future. These textures and patterns were developed in collaboration with 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th year students through a series of engagement workshops. Clay press moulds made by the students were directly cast and incorporated into the structure.