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A Maritime Chair by Joe Lawler

In September 2004 Drogheda Port Company announced its annual arts commission with its usual open brief.  Submissions for an internal artwork of any size and in any medium based on a "port related" theme were invited from local artists.  The brief brought a very diverse selection of submissions from a wide variety of local artistic talent. 

Drogheda Port Company announced that Mr Joe Lawler of Donacarney had been chosen for the Commission.  Joe took his inspiration for the piece from a ship in full sail and from windsurfers at Laytown beach and crafted an internal sculptural chair.

Joe works from his Donarcarney studio where he specialises in handmade and sculptural furniture made from Natural Irish woods.  His work has been featured in various house magazines and on television.  He was also commissioned to make chairs for President Bill Clintons visit to Ireland in 2000.

The chair itself stands eight feet high and can seat up to four people at a time.  It is made from Silver Birch, which came from an estate in the local area.  The same timber was used by Joe when he made a set of chairs for the visit of President Bill Clinton to Dundalk in 2000.  At the unveiling of the Maritime Chair Joe advised that Silver Birch has been used for maritime purposes as far back as the Egyptians.

Click here to learn more about Joe