RHA Tour of Flow by Vivienne Roche at County Hall, Swords

Fingal County Council was delighted to welcome artist Vivienne Roche to the Council Chamber, County Hall in Swords to provide a tour of her artwork Flow, (2002).  This large-scale relief sculpture comprising of glass, plaster and bronze was commissioned by Fingal County Council as part of the construction of County Hall, which was designed by Bucholz McEvoy Architects. The tour was facilitated by the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) to coincide with a major exhibition by Vivienne, Abridged, at the RHA until 17th November.  

Fingal staff and tour attendees were given a fascinating insight into the making of Flow, from concept to completion. Integrated into the architectural fabric of the building, this site-specific artwork, measuring 20 metres by 7 metres, is based on the central theme of water; shorelines, shaped and re-shaped by the tides. It also references the flow of time and communication, which compliments the function of the chamber where the flow of information is key.

“.... The impressions that water makes on sand as the tide recedes, have been translated into glass, plaster and bronze. The title Flow has many references – the flow of time, of change, of dialogue or communication and life. The challenge for me in making a sculpture for the Council Chamber was to try and marry the constantly shifting light to an image which could both absorb and reflect change, with meaning ” said Vivienne Roche, speaking in June 2002.

This work was a major addition to the Council Chamber, it is integral to the room and is a much-loved feature in the council, impressing all visitors to County Hall.  The full-scale cartoon to enable Vivienne to make this work and a video showing the process of its fabrication are currently on show in Abridged at the RHA.

Sarah O’ Neill, County Arts Officer commented, “I am delighted Vivienne Roche has returned to the Council Chamber to discuss this captivating artwork.  It is a timely visit as this year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Fingal County Council’s Municipal Art Collection, an important cultural asset, which has grown since its inception in 1994 and now comprises of over 300 artworks.  Fingal County Council is committed to commissioning and collecting new artworks and to fostering a progressive development in arts and culture for the benefit of people who live, work and visit Fingal.”

Abridged by Vivienne Roche, RHA, 6 Sept – 17 Nov 2024. www.rhagallery.ie