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Local sculptor launches latest creation

Perpetuity
Werner Groll and Barry Noyce

Perpetuity: - 1) the quality or state of being perpetual: eternity

 Welcome.

The title of this piece comes from a collaboration between Werner Groll and Barry Noyce.  It is representative of a coming together of two individuals who both harbour a deep respect for nature and natural material.  Through this coming together a huge oak tree, which had died and had fallen, has been given new life in the form of this, the first of many pieces Werner will undoubtedly produce from the tree’s bountiful harvest. 

The process has been facilitated by The Sister’s of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary who own the site where the tree once stood close to Sean Ross Abbey, on the outskirts of Roscrea Town.  Barry Noyce works as the grounds manager on site and has been given the task of enhancing the gardens and grounds.  One of the “problem” areas to tackle has been the removal of dead trees and planting of many more.  A large oak – well over three hundred years old, which fell some ten years ago was gradually being cut up for fire wood.  However, as the trunk and the true size of the tree became revealed Barry realised that something more needed to be done with the wood.  It was too large for any sawmill, would take hundreds of years to rot away and would be a sin to cut up and throw it onto the fire.  None of these options it was felt, seemed appropriate or had any respect for the beauty and majesty of this once massive tree.  Another use had to be found.  Several people were consulted with regard to the possibilities of using the wood and Werner was given the opportunity of moving the process further.  He was, as always is, on the lookout for a large piece of wood that he intends to create a huge sculpture from and the oak tree seemed to fit the bill.

This Oak tree posed a problem in so much as the size of the tree required heavy lifting and large machinery.  However, with the help of Noel Reid, we successfully managed to manoeuvre the trunk and various other sections of the tree to Werner’s workshop located near to the railway station.  The remaining pieces will be processed, in time, into picnic benches and seating for use within the grounds to enable people to continue to enjoy the surroundings here at Sean Ross, and to supply the small firewood enterprise we have established on site.

Over the following weeks Werner has created this beautiful piece from just one small branch of the tree and has decided to present the sculpture back to the Estate from which it once stood.  Many large pieces remain with which he will no doubt craft and construct many more interesting pieces.  The process that we undertook of identifying, clearing, moving, shaping and finishing in itself is a microcosm of Werner’s continuing skill and sheer graft of his task as a sculptor and artist.  I personally feel that it is indeed a fine testament to a tree that lived and grew through your great great great great great (at least0 grandfathers and mothers lifetimes.

It is hoped then, that through our mindedness, we have managed to increase the “life” of the wood and enhance the shape and beauty of a piece of our natural environment for fellow humans to look, touch, feel and enjoy.  Maybe not for eternity (who knows?) but certainly perpetually, for a time at least.

Hence the title - “Perpetuity”.

The artist and sculptor Werner Groll’s latest work, “perpetuity”, has been presented to The Sister’s of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and it is accepted on behalf of them by their grounds manager, Barry Noyce.  The specific location within the grounds where the sculpture will be placed has been identified and will undergo landscape works during the summer months for the official unveiling at sometime in the autumn.