Where is George Bulfin?

Glandwr has been a place of function - to in a sense reignite people’s souls. A place to find or expand one’s purpose or dreams. It is filled with peculiarities for example donated windows installed upside down. It was home to a candle making factory before it became a re-habilitation centre for men exiting the prison system. Funds continually had to be raised so figurines were made for sale and workshop vices were put to use in a small shed which was also the boiler house. Hands filled pots and plants were grown on shelves lining the back wall to catch the sunlight. Concrete slabs poured quickly formed the foundations of new projects in order to make things happen.

I remember when I first encountered ‘Glandwr’ the colours on it’s walls were all a bit strange and the house layout was kind of higgledy piggeldy. It was also what intrigued me. I recall the air in the stairwell, the river viewable from the upstairs front bedroom, then a classroom it’s walls donned in a heavy peachy terracotta hue. It was lit with harsh strip lights and floored by plastic which resembled wood, clean and efficient.

The title of the show ‘Where is George Bulfin?’ is inspired by the original decorator’s signature which was still there as I carefully pealed back the layers of wallpaper.

A friend told me this was common practice in Elizabethan and Georgian homes a signature of pride in one’s work. Years later a guest from India was staying here for one month, during this time we had many a kitchen chat. One time he asked me what it was like to live here when I first moved in. In truth there was many tears, he nodded easily to him a clear sign of all the energies and individuals who have passed through this place.

The artworks of Tanad Aaron, Jamie Cross + Florian Weichsberger interact within ‘Glandwr’ some have existed prior to being here in other domestic spaces. Some are new works and others are directly appropriated by what each artist has encountered within these walls or when talking about this exhibition. The mystery/ghost of previous (and future) narratives, the deconstruction of household objects revealing their inner lives. Objects of use that are so seldom even thought of or contemplated yet they accompany each day and each household action seamlessly floating between human ‘use’ and ‘useful’/ ‘functional’ activity. Autumn light bleeds through pressed windows a hallway intervention pauses this moment. The waltzing of a split sequoia. Fantasy and memory fused together.

Curator, Debi Paul.

To attend the show between Friday 30th September - Sat 29th October booking is required to allow quiet and intimate relations with the artworks and Glandwr. Times are as follows Thursday - Saturday at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. You can book by pressing the button below which will direct you to the eventbrite booking system. We look forward to welcoming you.

The address is 42 Saint Laurences Rd, Chapelizod, Dublin 20 D20F584, no 26 bus from city.