Aughrim Remembered: Military History Perspectives
Aughrim 2014
Just recovering from the long drive over the weekend. I was in Aughrim, Galway (site of the battle in 1691) at the Aughrim Remembered event. I was unexpectedly invited to give an illustrated talk/lecture based on the theme "painting the Williamite War (infantry)". This was a "how to" lecture on how i create my artwork.
"Painting the Williamite War (infantry)"
This was a tough proposition, as it meant i had to analyse my own artwork & untangle how i actually go about creating it. Now i haven't explored my work in this way since i was at Art college in Derry, back in the early 90s, when we where obliged to keep a journal (which i thought was pretentious, instrusive and left your inner creative process open to criticism, ridicule and external influences, so becoming robotic (maybe youthful impatience ;¬)
But i found the process actually enlightening, as meant i had to look critically at how i approach my work. Unfortunately I didnt get to discuss or show as much of the image making process as i would have liked, but i was able (i hope) to at least show the value of contemporary images in reconstructing an authentic view of the past. The talk was a little nerve wrecking, but once my time came there was no backing out, but the experience was useful and definitely worth doing. Anyway, i managed to survive my 45 minute and got to see some great talks prior and after my presentation, which i missed every other year i have been at the event.
One aspect of this subject i wanted to investigate, using the lecture as a sounding board, was how reliable the surviving contemporary images of these events in Ireland are and to assess if these artworks can be considered as accurate visual documents in their own right of the war and those who fought in it.
The Other lectures:
My talk was to compliment a talk given by the artist Ester Barrett, who has done extensive work in the Byerly Turk and the Boyne. SO Ester covered the equestrian aspect of the War, while i covered the Infantry.
Unfortunately i missed Dr. Joe Mannion's presentation and the first part of Dr. Billy Kelly's presentation, but i caught all of Dr. Andrew Robinson's, Nollaig O 'Muraile and Dr. Paul Naessens battlefield archaeology work.
Conclusion
The feedback to my presentation was positive, so i was happy about this. But the lecture that probably had the most interest for me and my work, was that of Dr. Paul Naessens "WHERE ARE THE BODIES BURIED" and the use of UAV's for recording sites, geophysical or ground penetrating radar and the 3D topographical information. These techniques are leading to a better understand of historical landscapes, which field walking or invasive techniques of a site dont necessarily give one.
Photos:
The re-enactment/living history took place in the Green as usual. There were a number of groups present, Oireash who organised and managed this aspect of the event, Claiomh (early Modern), North Irish Dragoons and Legion Ireland from Cork....it certainly was a clash of fire and metal, below are only a few pics, but hopefully a flavour of the event?
Just recovering from the long drive over the weekend. I was in Aughrim, Galway (site of the battle in 1691) at the Aughrim Remembered event. I was unexpectedly invited to give an illustrated talk/lecture based on the theme "painting the Williamite War (infantry)". This was a "how to" lecture on how i create my artwork.
"Painting the Williamite War (infantry)"
This was a tough proposition, as it meant i had to analyse my own artwork & untangle how i actually go about creating it. Now i haven't explored my work in this way since i was at Art college in Derry, back in the early 90s, when we where obliged to keep a journal (which i thought was pretentious, instrusive and left your inner creative process open to criticism, ridicule and external influences, so becoming robotic (maybe youthful impatience ;¬)
But i found the process actually enlightening, as meant i had to look critically at how i approach my work. Unfortunately I didnt get to discuss or show as much of the image making process as i would have liked, but i was able (i hope) to at least show the value of contemporary images in reconstructing an authentic view of the past. The talk was a little nerve wrecking, but once my time came there was no backing out, but the experience was useful and definitely worth doing. Anyway, i managed to survive my 45 minute and got to see some great talks prior and after my presentation, which i missed every other year i have been at the event.
One aspect of this subject i wanted to investigate, using the lecture as a sounding board, was how reliable the surviving contemporary images of these events in Ireland are and to assess if these artworks can be considered as accurate visual documents in their own right of the war and those who fought in it.
The Other lectures:
My talk was to compliment a talk given by the artist Ester Barrett, who has done extensive work in the Byerly Turk and the Boyne. SO Ester covered the equestrian aspect of the War, while i covered the Infantry.
Unfortunately i missed Dr. Joe Mannion's presentation and the first part of Dr. Billy Kelly's presentation, but i caught all of Dr. Andrew Robinson's, Nollaig O 'Muraile and Dr. Paul Naessens battlefield archaeology work.
Conclusion
The feedback to my presentation was positive, so i was happy about this. But the lecture that probably had the most interest for me and my work, was that of Dr. Paul Naessens "WHERE ARE THE BODIES BURIED" and the use of UAV's for recording sites, geophysical or ground penetrating radar and the 3D topographical information. These techniques are leading to a better understand of historical landscapes, which field walking or invasive techniques of a site dont necessarily give one.
Photos:
The re-enactment/living history took place in the Green as usual. There were a number of groups present, Oireash who organised and managed this aspect of the event, Claiomh (early Modern), North Irish Dragoons and Legion Ireland from Cork....it certainly was a clash of fire and metal, below are only a few pics, but hopefully a flavour of the event?
 |
| Musketeer firing (Derek Mayne) |
 |
| Dragoon, Musketeer & Drummer (Iain, Derek & Warren) |
 |
| stabbed in the back (Connor & Martin) |
 |
| Because I'm happy Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do (Legion Ireland's MARCVS VLPIVS NERVA (Martin McAree) |
 |
| Claiomh (Dave Swift & John Looney) |
 |
| North Irish Dragoons chatting to the Public (Warren Rainey & Iain Eagleson) |
 |
| Oireash & North Irish Dragoons |
 |
| Romani intervptvs (the clash of swordon armour turns heads) |
 |
| Roman clash of arms (Connor & Martin) |
 |
| parry with the shielf and go for the low blow (Martin & Connor) |
Comments
Post a Comment