Artist’s biggest fan rocks on down to Stillorgan

ROLLING Stones rocker Ronnie Wood was the guest of honour at the unveiling of a sculpture of Stillorgan-born artist, Sir William Orpen, at the Talbot Hotel recently.

Ronnie was on the Southside for the event that celebrated the work of sculptor Rowan Gillespie following years of planning and fundraising on the part of the Stillorgan Chamber of Commerce.

Ronnie, a huge fan and avid collector of Orpen’s works, was the VIP guest at the unveiling that kicked off a weekend of events that honoured the famous artist and thrilled some of his biggest fans.

Sir William Orpen is one of the most prestigious artists ever to have emerged from the Emerald Isle. Orpen, who was born in 1878 in Stillorgan, is famed for his self-portraits and his work as a war artist during World War One.Ronnie, a talented artist in his own right and an avid collector and appreciator of Orpen’s work, officially welcomed the specially-commissioned bronze sculpture to its brand-new home at the Talbot Hotel Stillorgan

 Ironically, it was Orpen himself who predicted this honourary sculpture. One of the artist’s famous tongue-in-cheek sketches, entitled ‘A Dream’, sees him standing atop a plinth with crowds of people below grasping to touch the man himself. The sketch bears the caption “I imagine that Dublin has seen fit to honour me,” a dream that indeed came true.

Irish sculptor Rowan Gillespie is the man behind the a striking piece of work. Famous worldwide for his work with bronze casting, Gillespie took inspiration for the bust of the impressive, 11-foot-tall sculpture from one of Orpen’s famous self-portraits. The smaller, but incredibly detailed bronze sculptures that make up the base of the piece were also inspired by four other notable works by the Dublin artist, including the 'Dream' sketch that influenced the original thought process behind the entire project. Gillespie, whose large and renowned body of work includes the commemorative ‘Famine’ installation at Custom House Quay in Dublin, was present at the special event as his latest work of art was finally unveiled to the public. 

After the unveiling there was be a World War One concert in the Talbot Hotel, featuring performances from well-known musicians such as Paul Harrington, Paddy Cole, Zena Donnelly and The Park Singers. The following day was equally as captivating for Orpen fans, with an art exhibition featuring a selection of the artist’s work, while Dominic Lee, Project Manager of the William Orpen Weekend and coordinator of www.sirwilliamorpen.com delivered a presentation entitled ‘The Life and Times of William Orpen’.

Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Lee expressed his excitement at what was a memorable weekend for both fans and family of the late artist.

“The realisation of this project is down to the unfaltering dedication of the Stillorgan Chamber of Commerce, Rowan Gillespie, the team at the Talbot Hotel Stillorgan and those that donated generously to the fund,” he said. “On a personal level, the project has been incredibly dear to my heart, so to be able to honour one of our most beloved artists after years of planning and preparation was a wonderful feeling.”