Past Projects

David Jacques ...a hundred flowers to bloom

Download a PDF of 100 Flowers to Bloom

By artist David Jacques in collaboration with pupils from St Joseph’s National School, East wall.

A year long collaboration ( Sept 2005 – June 2006) between Liverpool based artist David Jacques and 100 children from St Joseph’s Primary School, East Wall, involved an extensive study by the children of ‘alien’ or non native plants within the landscape of Dublin Port. The main public art outcome of the project is 100 large scale hand painted banners reproducing each child’s drawing, the plant’s Latin name as well as the child’s name sited along Alexandra and Tolka Rd Quay. This project was commissioned through a partnership between Dublin Port Company and the Fire Station Artists’ Studios.

Thousands of ships have visited Dublin Port from all over world and many used ballast of rocks or clay. Caught up in this ballast were seeds from the ship’s home country. The seeds blew onto land and germinated – many within the port area itself. These plants are scattered all over Ireland, some particularly within the port area and are documented in botanical journals as ‘non native’ or ‘alien plant life’ to Ireland. There are approx 920 species of alien plant life growing in uncultivated areas across Ireland.

Each child produced a portfolio relating to an ‘alien’ plant of their choice. The children’s drawings were reproduced as 100 silk embroideries and installed in the school. Photographer Chris Harrington facilitated workshops with the children and the resultant photos are on permanent display in the Port Terminal along with number of the silk embroideries.

A Dublin Port Company and Fire Station Artists Studios commissioned project.