TRIBUTE HEAD FOR NELSON MANDELA AT MERRION SQUARE PARK
ENDURING SYMBOL OF SOLIDARITY [TRIBUTE HEAD FOR NELSON MANDELA AT MERRION SQUARE PARK]
Located inside Merrion Square Park stands a powerful and poignant sculpture: Dame Elisabeth Frink's "Tribute Head." While many visitors enjoy the park's Georgian elegance, not all are aware of this particular work's significant dedication to one of the world's most revered figures of resilience and freedom, Nelson Mandela.
Conveniently, the city terminus for the 26 bus route is situated at the entrance on Merrion Square West. This frequent and reliable service provides a direct link for those wishing to visit the park and see the sculpture, connecting the city centre with landmarks such as Phoenix Park, the village of Chapelizod, Palmerstown, and the natural beauty of Waterstown Park.
The Artist and Her Vision
The "Tribute Head" is the work of the distinguished British sculptor, Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930-1993). Renowned for her powerful and semi-abstract depictions of the human form, animals, and birds, Frink's sculptures are celebrated for their raw and emotive intensity.
Frink created a series of "Tribute Heads" with a universal message of honouring those who have endured persecution for their convictions. She described them as tributes to "all people who have died or suffered for their beliefs. These men are heroes in the sense that they are survivors, but they are also victims stripped of everything but their human courage." This profound dedication made one of her "Tribute Heads" a particularly fitting choice for an international symbol of solidarity with Nelson Mandela during his incarceration.
A Commission of Conscience
The journey of the "Tribute Head" to Dublin is a story of artistic and political collaboration. While Frink had already created the series, it was the initiative of Amnesty International that led to one of the casts being designated as a tribute to the then-imprisoned anti-apartheid leader. The city of Dublin offered to provide a prominent home for a work of art honouring Mandela, and Frink's sculpture was chosen for this purpose.
An Unveiling of Irish Solidarity
The sculpture was officially unveiled in Merrion Square on the 26th of June 1983, a date chosen to coincide with South Africa Freedom Day. The ceremony was a significant cultural and political event in Dublin, attended by approximately 1,500 people. It featured a poetry reading by the celebrated Irish poet and Nobel laureate, Seamus Heaney, and a performance by the internationally acclaimed traditional Irish band, The Chieftains. The event underscored Ireland's strong support for the anti-apartheid movement.
An Overlooked Treasure?
Despite its important history, the "Tribute Head" is not always as prominent in the public consciousness as other sculptures in Dublin, such as the nearby effigy of Oscar Wilde within the same park. Several factors may contribute to this.
Over time, public awareness of its specific dedication to Nelson Mandela may have faded, with many viewing it simply as an abstract piece. Furthermore, Frink's artistic style, while highly respected in the art world, is stark and challenging. It does not offer the immediate figurative accessibility of more traditional statues, demanding a deeper engagement from the viewer. For years, the sculpture was also partially obscured by surrounding vegetation, which has since been addressed to improve its visibility.
The "Tribute Head" in Merrion Square remains a powerful and enduring work of art. It is a testament to Dame Elisabeth Frink's profound humanism, a symbol of Ireland's role in the global fight against apartheid, and a lasting tribute to the indomitable spirit of Nelson Mandela. Its quiet presence invites reflection on the universal themes of suffering, courage, and the enduring hope for freedom.
Located inside Merrion Square Park stands a powerful and poignant sculpture: Dame Elisabeth Frink's "Tribute Head." While many visitors enjoy the park's Georgian elegance, not all are aware of this particular work's significant dedication to one of the world's most revered figures of resilience and freedom, Nelson Mandela.
Conveniently, the city terminus for the 26 bus route is situated at the entrance on Merrion Square West. This frequent and reliable service provides a direct link for those wishing to visit the park and see the sculpture, connecting the city centre with landmarks such as Phoenix Park, the village of Chapelizod, Palmerstown, and the natural beauty of Waterstown Park.
The Artist and Her Vision
The "Tribute Head" is the work of the distinguished British sculptor, Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930-1993). Renowned for her powerful and semi-abstract depictions of the human form, animals, and birds, Frink's sculptures are celebrated for their raw and emotive intensity.
Frink created a series of "Tribute Heads" with a universal message of honouring those who have endured persecution for their convictions. She described them as tributes to "all people who have died or suffered for their beliefs. These men are heroes in the sense that they are survivors, but they are also victims stripped of everything but their human courage." This profound dedication made one of her "Tribute Heads" a particularly fitting choice for an international symbol of solidarity with Nelson Mandela during his incarceration.
A Commission of Conscience
The journey of the "Tribute Head" to Dublin is a story of artistic and political collaboration. While Frink had already created the series, it was the initiative of Amnesty International that led to one of the casts being designated as a tribute to the then-imprisoned anti-apartheid leader. The city of Dublin offered to provide a prominent home for a work of art honouring Mandela, and Frink's sculpture was chosen for this purpose.
An Unveiling of Irish Solidarity
The sculpture was officially unveiled in Merrion Square on the 26th of June 1983, a date chosen to coincide with South Africa Freedom Day. The ceremony was a significant cultural and political event in Dublin, attended by approximately 1,500 people. It featured a poetry reading by the celebrated Irish poet and Nobel laureate, Seamus Heaney, and a performance by the internationally acclaimed traditional Irish band, The Chieftains. The event underscored Ireland's strong support for the anti-apartheid movement.
An Overlooked Treasure?
Despite its important history, the "Tribute Head" is not always as prominent in the public consciousness as other sculptures in Dublin, such as the nearby effigy of Oscar Wilde within the same park. Several factors may contribute to this.
Over time, public awareness of its specific dedication to Nelson Mandela may have faded, with many viewing it simply as an abstract piece. Furthermore, Frink's artistic style, while highly respected in the art world, is stark and challenging. It does not offer the immediate figurative accessibility of more traditional statues, demanding a deeper engagement from the viewer. For years, the sculpture was also partially obscured by surrounding vegetation, which has since been addressed to improve its visibility.
The "Tribute Head" in Merrion Square remains a powerful and enduring work of art. It is a testament to Dame Elisabeth Frink's profound humanism, a symbol of Ireland's role in the global fight against apartheid, and a lasting tribute to the indomitable spirit of Nelson Mandela. Its quiet presence invites reflection on the universal themes of suffering, courage, and the enduring hope for freedom.