Crock and roll: Old mugs and plates donated to create giant mosaic
Sean Corcoran of The Art Hand is working on a 45 feet wide environmental awareness mosaic to be installed in Dungarvan
Prepare to be bowled over by a new mosaic about to be installed in Waterford. Thousands of bowls, cups, plates and mugs have been donated to the permanent art project being designed to raise environmental awareness.
The creator of this massive work of art is environmental artist Sean Corcoran who may be known to many already for his giant sand art drawings. He says there was an overwhelming response to a call-out for the crockery for this unique project.
We put a few questions about the project to him.
The wall itself is almost 45 feet wide. Our target is to make the mosaic 12 to 14 feet high. It really depends on how many panels we get to make before installation in late April.
The mosaic is being permanently installed on an outside wall of the ‘Movies at Dungarvan’ cinema in the Dungarvan Shopping Centre, County Waterford. It’s a very prominent location with lots of pedestrians and cars passing by.
Hundreds of people have already donated thousands of separate pieces of crockery. We’ve had to convert a space outside of our studio to house the vast collection. We’ve added a large storage rack, crates and half a dozen tables to sort and store the items.
If I had to guess I’d say we probably have 500 mugs, 200 tea cups, 1,000 dinner plates, 500 saucers, 300 bowls, 100 teapots, and 200 milk jugs! I’m sure by the end of the project there will be plenty of stuff left over but for me the important part at this stage is reaching out, far and wide, and getting as many people involved as possible.
It’s very much about having the conversation. Why do we all have so much crockery? What do we do with our damaged dishes? Is it healthy to hoard our grandparents tea sets?!
There won’t be an overall design visible in the mosaic. The real impact I believe of the completed artwork will be its huge scale. From an environmental perspective, I believe, this will make us question our consumerism and hoarding tendencies! Up close, the details and memories that are immortalised will create their own narrative.
It will probably take six or seven days to install. It won’t be possible to conceal proceedings. I actually think it’s a nice experience for members of the public to be able to witness the process and have a chat with the team. Though if we can find a piece of material big enough to cover it for the unveiling, that would be nice!
Our target is to unveil the mosaic on Sunday, April 27 during the Waterford Festival Of Food.
Due to the generosity of the cinema and the shopping centre in Dungarvan, we have been gifted the wall to be used as a permanent installation.
I can’t give you a breakdown, but the project is funded by Creative Ireland. It is being managed by Act Waterford, an initiative from Calmast, the STEM Engagement Centre in South East Technological University (SETU) in Waterford, in partnership with Waterford City and County Council. Funding has meant that I have been able to dedicate a year of my life to making this mosaic a reality. It has also allowed us to convert part of our gallery and studio here at The Art Hand into a dedicated mosaic room.
We are currently training 59 amazing volunteers through a series of mosaic masterclasses. With this many members of the community being trained, I’m really hoping that mosaic becomes more prominent in Waterford. It’s such an inclusive art-form that everybody can get involved in.
We were donated
- Damaged dishes
- Shattered platters
- Tedious tea-sets
- Pre-loved plates
- Chipped cups
- Magnificent mugs
- Surplus saucers
- 'Your mother's milk jug'
- 'Your grandad's sugar bowl'
- Gravy boats and butter dishes
- Tasty tureens
- Bygone bowls
- Cracked teapots
- Ming vases
- Beach glass
- Pottery fragments
- Beachcombing, mudlarking, or field finds
We had six drop locations in the city and county of Waterford and one in New Ross. We were contacted by people around the country wanting to contribute pieces. Some people sent stuff to us by courier or by post. We even received a special plate from a friend of mine in the UK.
These days I’m probably best known for creating temporary artworks on beaches using a garden rake! My wife Miranda and I run a business called The Art Hand. We are based in an amazing area called The Copper Coast here in Waterford. Pop into our gallery and studio if you’re ever down this way. I’ve undertaken dozens of these kind of community mosaics around the country. I even completed one in Texas last year! The real focus in these artworks is that they’re made by the community using items gathered by the community. It’s environmental art! Our website is thearthand.com or you can find The Art Hand on Facebook.
ACT Waterford is a creative climate initiatives that aim to shine and educate local communities, and to encourage behavioural changes in climate action - ahead of Waterford’s goal to become Ireland’s first decarbonised zone by 2040
1] Sustainable Transport in Waterford City with artist Joanne Donohoe:
Joanne Donohoe will spearhead efforts to explore sustainable transport solutions, fostering community participation and awareness.
2] In Between — Biodiversity with creative facilitators Spraoi:
Focused on biodiversity, this strand takes place in the Cunnigar Dungarvan, collaborating with Waterford Spraoi. The project aims to raise awareness of the 'in-between' coastal zone, bridging landscape and sea, through artistic, community, scientific, and media resources.
3] Reflecting the Past, Imagining the Future with artist Mollie Anna King:
An intergenerational initiative, this strand will engage the upland community of the Nire Valley and Ballymacarbry. Led by artist Mollie Anna King, participants will explore the intersection of the past and future, weaving together the rich tapestry of heritage and forward-looking perspectives.
4] Social Media Outreach with content creator Kate Twohig:
Content creator Kate Twohig will play a pivotal role in expanding ACT's online presence. Through strategic engagement on popular social media platforms, the initiative aims to grow its digital audience and amplify the impact of its message.
