THE CELTIC CONNECTION • APRIL 1992
Page 9
CELTIC ART
Look What I Found in Dublin
CELTIC DESIGN SERIES:
• A BEGINNER'S MANUAL
• KNOTWORK
• ANIMAL PATTERNS By Aidan Meehan
pp 160 London: Thames & Hudson ISBN 0-500-27629-3 ISBN 0-500-27630-7 ISBN 0-500-27662-5
A Review by REBECCA SMYTH
VANCOUVER — Last summer I went on a holiday from Vancouver, where I live, to Ireland with my family. Both my parents are Irish, so we were going to visit relatives. My dad took my two sisters and me to Dublin for a sightseeing expedition. We toured around various
?laces of interest, including rinity College. There, we went to the old library which holds the Book of Kells and the Book of Durrow.
I had always been interested in Celtic art, in particular the illustrated manuscripts of the ancient scribes but I had never attempted to duplicate the complex patterns of knots and entwining animals. It looked far
m
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At the House of McLaren our aim is to bring you a selection of beautiful and interesting things from Scotland and the British Isles to enjoy for yourself or to give as thoughtful presents for family and friends. Our Celtic Jewellery pieces are authentic replicas based on actual period designs. All the items we select are well made, often by craftsmen. We carry a complete line of Tartans, a full line of Clan Crest Stationery and other related items. Whether buying by mail order or visiting our shop, you'll find our service friendly and efficient. We look forward to a visit or call.
too difficult until I found some books in a Dublin bookstore. I bought them and was surprised to find that their author lives in Vancouver.
Aidan Meehan wrote "Celtic Design, A Beginner's Manual and Knotwork, Secret of the Scribes," books telling the author's secret of creating Celtic art. I have used these books myself several times and found them very helpful.
They start with the basics and gradually get into more complex designs, kind of like building blocks. I am not a very patient person, however, so I just skipped to what I thought were the interesting bits and left the preparation behind.
Because of this, I found working with the books a little confusing but I was still able to use them. When I wasn't able to work out some points, I backtracked and looked them up. Usually this resolved the problem, but in some areas, no directions were given.
For example, for one school assignment on Celtic art, I was given a certain size of paper to work with. I had difficulty getting my knots the right size so that the number I wanted would fit on the page. I had to play around with my calculator and ratios, etc., at which I am not very proficient.
The books were fairly straightforward and nicely laid out. Large lettering and helpful dia-
grams made them easy to use. •oing knotwork was the most difficult. Getting the knots perfectly proportioned and every strand weaving and interlocking correctly, required both patience and a good eraser.
I tried using the methods in the books of drawing dots on the paper in a grid form, but as I did not have the required instruments, this method didn't work
for me. Instead, I used graph paper which was very useful. Then I traced my design off the graph paper onto blank paper, using a light table.
All in all, the books were a good purchase. They have been invaluable in class assignments, easy to use and interesting just to look through.
The triangular knots and circular patterns look wonderful and would make great jewellery. I have no hesitation in recommending these books for purely enjoyment purposes or as a Celtic design reference book. They have increased my appreciation and admiration of Celtic art.
Rebecca Smyth is a Grade 11 student at Little Flower Academy (a Catholic all-girl's school) in Vancouver. She is 16 years old and an aspiring artist wno appreciates Celtic art.
West Coast Impressionist Evokes the Celtic Spirit
David Low, a Canadian artist of Scottish birth, is exhibiting his latest work at the Alley Cats Gallery, 3417 West Broadway in Vancouver.
David's Canadian landscapes are designed not to depict nature in a totally realistic way but rather to "evoke the spirit; the unseen energy that is behind nature."
Alley Cats Gallery is owned by Katharina Eva Zalatnai, BFA, Hungarian born, who graduated
from Concordia University, Montreal, in 1991. Katharina whose graduation thesis dealt with Celtic megalithic art, rebels against present tendency of art history teachers to see art "as a scientific discipline." This interpretation "removes art from the heart of the creator to a colder, intellectual force." The centrepiece of the exhibition, a large triptych, "Barkley Sound," beautifully illustrates the dynamic that exists between the artist and the gallery.
—Seamus McMahon
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