ADDRESS BY MARY ROBINSON, AT THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION BY PUPILS OF ST. JOSEPHS SCHOOL
EXHIBITION OF CERAMIC SCULPTURE, DRUMCONDRA, AT THE ROYAL HIBERNIAN ACADEMY, 16 ELY PLACE, ON 3RD NOVEMBER, 1993
I am very privileged and honoured to be present here this evening at the Royal Hibernian Academy to launch "Touch Exhibition" in the Gallagher Gallery which features ceramic work exhibits by present and past pupils of St. Joseph's School for Visually Impaired Pupils. I wish to thank Fr. Joseph O'Reilly for his kind invitation to this prestigious event and I am delighted to be given the opportunity to launch this first ever ceramic art exhibition.
This public exhibition features some one hundred artistic compositions produced by about thirty boys who are pupils or past pupils of St. Joseph's. It would not have become a reality without the perseverance and determination of Fr. O'Reilly to mount this display in the public arena. The expert skill and teaching methodology of Liam Belton, R.H.A., has played a significant part in enabling the boys to reach such high standards of excellence. Liam is employed by Dublin City Vocational Education Committee to teach in St. Joseph's where he has applied himself assiduously to develop and nurture the artistic talents of the pupils. He is now in his 18th year of service at the school and is probably the only academician in Ireland to teach ceramic sculpture to primary school pupils with visual impairment. Liam Belton and the exhibitors have received positive encouragement from Fr. O'Reilly and his Board of Management, from Mrs. Vera McPartlin, principal, the teaching staff, the parents and others who work at St. Joseph's School.
Many of the young people exhibiting here this evening and for the next three weeks have moved on to undertake careers in the Visual Arts. For example Terry Carton, a former pupil, now has his own business in architectural ceramics. It is significant to note nowadays that persons with disabilities are playing a strong role in identifying their own career paths and in pursuing them. In this way, they can identify a more fulfilling and complete role for themselves in society.
While St. Joseph's is a special school, it provides every support for the mastery of all aspects of the general school curriculum. High levels of expertise are inculcated as well in Music, Drama, Computer Applications and Art and Craft. The pupils, on leaving St. Joseph's are prepared to take their place with their peers in Pobalscoil Rosmini, a second-level community school located on campus and also managed by the Rosmini Order. In this Community School, the boys with visual impairment are fully integrated with the general school community and enjoy much success in their academic pursuits with the support of specialist resource teachers.
Liam Belton and other experts believe that persons with visual impairment are often more visually aware than some of their sighted peers. The latter tend to look at things in a cursory fashion while those with visual impairment use their residual vision more intently and examine objects in minute detail absorbing much more information and as a result seeing much more. It is observed that blind students working with clay have an instinctive understanding of abstract forms, a sort of inner feeling for the underlying organic nature of things. The percentage of past pupils of St. Joseph's taking up careers in the Visual Arts is high and the school has won 30 first prizes in the Slógadh All-Ireland sculpture section.
This Exhibition features an excellent range of expressive examples of artistic interpretation and includes samples of figurative, abstract and pop art. I can assure you that the display presents a fascinating and challenging tactile and visual experience of a particularly high standard. This is exemplified in the 22 foot Wall Mural by Pádraig Naughton. I have been informed that Pádraig is now learning Japanese and that he intends to study in Japan where the work of artists with visual impairment is much appreciated and publicised. The invitation card formally inviting you to this Exhibition features the exhibit of Stephen Kennedy. Stephen produced and directed his own play last year and is currently studying for an M.A. in literature at U.C.D. He is representative of a growing number of young people with disabilities who are enroling in universities and other third-level institutions. All Colleges of Further Education now particularly encourage the participation of students with disabilities in their courses and there has been a substantial increase in the resources, facilities and special support made available for them. Their success in third level education should be an enrichment of all of us.
The interesting Catalogue listing the exhibits under the names of exhibitors is presented in an attractive manner. The colour photographs summarise the significant impact of the various examples of the work portrayed. The essays by the R.H.A. academicians provide much material for thought and interpretation and enable us to appreciate the special challenges faced by persons with disabilities.
In conclusion, I again thank Fr. O'Reilly, for his kind invitation to officially open this historic exhibition. I also wish to thank the exhibitors, Liam Belton and friends of the R.H.A., as well as all others concerned. It is a very fitting tribute that there are some 400 people present at this launching of "Touch Exhibition" and I thank them for their support. Furthermore, the ESB are to be commended for their sponsorship on this occasion.
I wish all those associated with this Exhibition full health, happiness and success in the future. Rath Dé ar bhur saothar!
I now declare "Touch Exhibition" to be officially opened.