By Éabha MacDonagh
Wicklow artist and designer Alana Conlon showcased a new collection of sculptural accessories. Conlon’s collections typically feature sculptural pieces using hand crafting, silver work and 3D printing.
‘In Your Dreams’ was displayed as part of the Aisling Annamh exhibition in Kirko’s Collective. Aisling Annamh showed works from several Irish designers along with live music performances and readings.
This latest collection from Conlon draws on ancient Irish myth, primarily inspired by the story of Aisling Oenguso – The Dream of Oengus. Oengus, a young god sees a beautiful woman in his dreams, Caer Ibormeith. As Caer appears to him over and over Oengus sets out to find her. After a long journey circling Ireland he finds her on an island where she has taken the form of a swan. Oengus transform into a swan also and together they fly away to Newgrange.
The collection consists entirely of silver jewellery pieces, each connecting to different parts of the story and drawing on aspects seen throughout Irish folklore.
‘Don’t wake me up’ Alana Conlon/alanaconlon.com
‘Don’t wake me up’ depicts a small figure lying on a bed of sorts. The ring itself is reminiscent of Victorian cameo ring, which Conlon says was an inspiration for the design of the piece. The piece symbolises how Caer Ibormeith appears to Oengus while he sleeps. The silverwork is a beautiful display of craftsmanship with the detail carving of the bed the figure lies on giving it a soft and plush look.
‘Can you keep up?’ Alana Conlon/alanaconlon.com
Spiral earring nod to ancient stone carvings and represent Oengus on his journey across Ireland in search of the woman he sees in his dreams. The spirals have small spikes or bumps throughout to show the obstacles Oengus faced along the way.
‘Everything has a crack in it’ Alana Conlon/alanaconlon.com
‘everything has a crack in it’ , a seal fob pendant inspired by Conlon’s grandmothers costume jewellery with a contemporary take. The stones in the bottom of the pendant are cracked recalling the moment Oengus finally finds Caer Ibormeith in a swans form. Conlon describes this moment as “When the partition between worlds finally breaks.”
‘…to let the light in’ Alana Conlon/alanaconlon.com
Aislinge Oenguso comes to and end in Newgrange, as Oengus and Caer Ibormeith fly away from her island together as swans and come to rest in Brú na Bóinne. This ending is depicted in the piece ‘…to let the light in’, a signet ring based on drawings of Newgrange. A small crevice runs down the middle creating space between the wearers finger and the ring ‘to let the light in’ similar to the light that floods into the chamber of Newgrange on the winter solstice
‘An Craobh Airgid’ Alana Conlon/alanaconlon.com
The entire collection feels intentional and carefully considerate of the story it is influenced by. Several pieces feature interpretations of the An Croabh Airgid – The Silver Branch. In wider Irish myth, An Craobh Airgid is a symbol of the otherworld. Although it doesn’t feature in and Aislinge Oenguso, Conlon uses it to show Oengus’ connection to the otherworld.
The exclusive use of silver throughout this collection feels like an homage to the ancient roots of the story. Silver as the only medium is a move away from Conlon’s previous works in digital fashion and sculptural accessories. The ties with Irish culture and nature are what connect it back to her previous collections, particularly ‘Hoard #1’ which featured nature motifs and Celtic symbols. This is and exciting new collection blending
modern interpretations of ancient myth and is a further step in Alana Conlon’s career in pushing forward Irish Design and Art.
‘In Your Dreams’ is available now for preorder at alanaconlon.com