Hanson Names Artist For Tribute To Derry Shirtmakers

31 January 2006
HANSON NAMES ARTIST FOR TRIBUTE TO DERRY SHIRTMAKERS
A former Foyle Arts Centre artist in residence has been chosen to create a memorial to the women shirtmakers of Derry.
Louise Walsh, who is now based in Dublin, has been commissioned to create a new landmark piece of art. Commenting on her appointment, Social Development Minister David Hanson MP said:
"This is an ambitious new piece of artwork that will rightly celebrate the working lives of the many thousands of unsung women who were central to Derry's shirt making industry over the decades.
"Already my Department, through its North West Development Office, has facilitated the installation of iconic pieces of art elsewhere in the city and Strabane that quickly became symbols of these towns.
"I am keenly aware of the contribution public art makes to local identity. It can enrich people's lives and nurture a sense of self-confidence and new possibilities. It is vital that we continue to encourage creativity and innovation as a means of achieving better quality public space."
The project has been developed in partnership with Derry City Council by the Department for Social Development's North West Development Office, which is providing funding of approximately Ł100,000.
Due to be completed this summer, the artwork depicts a sewing machine working on a shirt and is to be installed at the King Street roundabout adjacent to Ebrington Barracks (subject to approval). It comprises three elements - the wheel of the sewing machine, the needle panel and the shirt which will be created by landscaping the grassy slope down to the Foyle. Personal stories of factory workers will be incorporated into the piece. Louise Walsh said she intended to start work immediately and explained her approach to the challenging brief she had responded to.
"I wanted to make a large-scale piece of work that responded to the magnitude of women's contribution to Derry's shirt industry. I used the image of the "tool" (the sewing machine) and "product" (the shirt) superimposing them in the landscape of the roundabout.
"The sewing machine and shirt, as everyday symbols of the industry, are magnified to capture on an epic scale the sheer cumulative mass of industrial shirt production over the course of 150 years. The female skill and energy that produced such a volume of shirts are embodied in these symbols.
"Walking around the piece, particularly in the collar area; layers of personal narratives and discoveries will be revealed to the viewer. Many of these are testaments to friendships that were forged in the shirt factories and lasted for lifetimes, which I have heard so many times when talking to the women of Derry. It is my intention that these stories get told here."
The Mayor of Derry,Councillor Lyn Fleming said:
"At one time, the shirt industry's mainly female workforce outnumbered the combined total of those employed in the transport, commerce and distribution sectors. When one considers how the shirt industry dominated the city's economy it is fitting to recognise the contribution made by factory girls and women to the economic and social well-being of the city. This iconic piece of public art will preserve the importance of their role for future generations and become a symbol of shared history and regeneration for the city."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1 - The Department for Social Development has responsibility for urban regeneration, including powers to carry out public realm improvements. Subject to statutory approvals the new art piece will be completed by summer 2006
Louise Walsh: Background
Louise was born in County Cork and lived in Belfast between 1985 and 1989. She now lives in Dublin and lectures in sculpture in the National College of Art and Design. Louise first worked in Derry in 1997 when she was had a residency in the Foyle Arts Centre for 2 months, exhibiting there and doing art workshops with local schools. In 1991 she spent a month drawing women shirt factory workers in the City Factory as part of a project called Available Resources administered by the Orchard Gallery, Derry.
Her other public works include:

2004-2006 Boundry Sculpture at Luas Stop, James Hospital. Dublin. 40 metre long art work, includes Bronze Sculptures done by local teenagers on a linked project.

1998-2001 Integrated Public Artworks at the entrance of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. A large-scale installation with movable snake sculpture, text pieces and metal balcony.

1998 Imagine, A stone sculpture made in consultation with local teenagers at Black Lion Swimming Jetty, Co Cavan.

1994 Installation in public walkway Pier 4A,Terminal 1. Light, duratrans and colour projection. Heathrow Airport, London.

1992 Monument to the Unknown Woman Worker, Cast bronze figures, two metres high. Great Victoria Street, Belfast.

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2004-2006	Boundry Sculpture at Luas Stop, James Hospital. Dublin. 40 metre long art work, includes Bronze Sculptures done by local teenagers on a linked project.
1998-2001	Integrated Public Artworks at the entrance of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. A large-scale installation with movable snake sculpture, text pieces and metal balcony.
1998	Imagine, A stone sculpture made in consultation with local teenagers at Black Lion Swimming Jetty, Co Cavan.
1994	Installation in public walkway Pier 4A,Terminal 1. Light, duratrans and colour projection. Heathrow Airport, London.
1992	Monument to the Unknown Woman Worker, Cast bronze figures, two metres high. Great Victoria Street, Belfast.