"Paternity Suite" 2002 Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology

"Paternity Suite" 2002

Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology, Dun Laoghaire Co. Dublin, June 6th to 13th 2002. Degree Exhibition.

All the work in this exhibition developed in response to the approaching birth of my first child and to my feelings as a soon-to-be father. Elise was born May 21st 2002 and has already changed the way I see the world around me, the way I see my wife Lorraine, and my view of myself. I stand witness to this fantastic process, and feel somehow immobilised, bolt upright as a phallus, while this child bubbles and seethes first within my wife Lorraine, then naked in the world proper. I want to reveal this feeling of the process from the male perspective, standing in the reflected light of the classic mother and child.

Lorraine's interest has dwelled on the development of both traditional symbols that represent fecundity (such as fruit) and modern/personal symbols and images which provide a new view on this theme (for instance, the abstract composition of stripes in a pregnancy test). Her work can be viewed HERE

This exhibition of our work includes paintings on canvas and handmade paper by Lorraine, and James' work includes original prints, wall-mounted metal sculptures, an insatllation of sculpture and video, and small-scale bronze and ceramic sculptures. Images of other work included in this exhibition can be viewed in the sections Paternity Suite, Paternity Suite 2002-2003, and Ball!

Image Details

  • Naas Road leading in to Newbridge Town
  • Water droplets on stainless steel
  • Electro etched credits
  • Artist with the sculpture