Teachers’ tribute to be cast by Bell

ONE of Ireland’s best-known contemporary sculptors has been commissioned by Dublin City University (DCU) to create a sculpture inspired by the work of teachers.

Sandra Bell’s sculpture will be placed in the grounds of DCU’s St Patrick’s Campus in Drumcondra as a permanent symbol of DCU’s Teachers Inspire Ireland initiative.

Launched earlier this year with the support of businessman and philanthropist Dermot Desmond, Teachers Inspire is focused on highlighting the enormous contribution made by teachers in Irish society.

Over May and June, DCU called for members of the public to share their personal stories of how a teacher transformed their lives or their community.

Stories were shared from all over Ireland, and four teachers, one from each province, will be recognised at a gala event later this year, at which they will receive ‘Desmond Awards’, which are cast bronze replicas of the full sized sculpture.

The sculpture itself will be created by Bell over the next six months and will be unveiled by DCU in May next year as part of the launch of the second year of Teachers Inspire.

The work is a figurative cast-bronze sculpture, incorporating 24 karats gold leaf, and playing on the theme of light.

“Following a competitive process, Sandra Bell has been commissioned to create this Teachers Inspire sculpture,” confirmed Professor Brian MacCraith, President of DCU.

“We felt her winning proposal captured the essence and vision of the overall Teachers Inspire Ireland initiative.

“We look forward to working with Sandra in the coming months to create a piece of public art that symbolises the hugely valuable contribution of teachers across Ireland, and the transformative role they play in the lives of their students and wider communities.”

Bell said it was a great honour to be part of a project that gives recognition to the wonderful work teachers do.

“My sculpture will play on the theme of light because our teachers have been an inspiration and a leading light in our lives for so many years,” she continued.

“My sculpture also represents the nurturing of a young mind, depicting a teacher and a student sharing a book, which emanates the light of inspiration and learning from within.

“The figures are protecting and nurturing the light that emanates from the book and reflects on their faces.

“I am excited to get started on this project, and I look forward to unveiling the finished sculpture early next year – as a permanent symbol of the hugely inspirational work done by teachers every day.”