A Co Westmeath Franciscan priest is working on creating a piece of art that he hopes will be an artistic response to the recent Ryan Report. Fr Joe Walsh, Guardian of the Franciscan Friary in Multyfarnham, will exhibit his work next month at a week-long art festival in the village.
An accomplished sculptor, Fr Walsh described his project, which is still working on, as, "a visual response to the Ryan report."
The 'Straying Closer to the Truth' exhibition in Multyfarnham will involve workshops and musical performances as well as displays from more than twenty artists, including Fr Walsh. "We've already had thousands of words on the Ryan Report but I'm trying to go beyond the words in an effort to reflect in a deeper way on the issues involved," he explained.
The piece he is creating will, he added, try to address wider fundamental issues about children, power and responsibility in society.
Fr Walsh has been based in Multyfarnham, and previously ministered in Dundalk and Athlone. Ten years ago, he took a course in fine and applied arts at the University of Ulster's Art College in Belfast.
He said words could not always “grasp the mystery of life” so he began exploring the potential that “the visual could have more power than the word".
Last year, small groups of artists began taking up two-week residencies at Fr Walsh’s friary.
His work has been displayed at a number of exhibitions in the Royal Ulster Academy and elsewhere.
Creating something to reflect on the Ryan Report, has, he said, been on his mind for some time.
"When you create something like this you're asking people to engage with it on an emotional level. People's response to it might be good or bad but you're seeking a response of some kind.”
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