Five artists are preparing to unveil a series of intriguing new artworks which have been specially commissioned by Cork County Council as part of the redevelopment programme of the Fort Camden military installation overlooking the entrance to Cork Harbour.

This event is the culmination of over a year’s work in which Cork County Council invited artists to visit Fort Camden and propose various imaginative responses to the site. Four visual artists, James L. Hayes, Julia Pallone, Julie Merriman, Monica Boyle and poet, Nell Regan were selected for commission. They have spent the last seven months working on the site and in their studios to create a series of dramatic installations that re-imagine the life and history of the Fort.

The commissioned works are installed in the Casemate building at Fort Camden. This powerfully built structure, designed to withstand bombardment, provides a unique and atmospheric setting for the artists work. When developing the commission Cork county Council asked the artists to make work that would add to the visors experience of Fort Camden. What visitors will find are startling transformations of buildings as in Julia Pallone’s Inner Sea where she has created an artificial sea in a cave-like space.

James L Hayes in his dramatic installation In Celebration of Two Non-Events uses found materials which he has recast and incorporated into new forms where he contrasts the magnificence of military power with the mundane routine of military life.

Artist Julie Merriman has been attracted by the idea of the harbour being guarded by the two forts of Camden and Carlisle. Julie works in a delicate drawing style that uses mapping techniques and it is no surprise in her installation “For War Department Use Only” that she has chosen to recreate 19^th century plans of both fortresses.

Poet Nell Regan and visual Artist Monica Boyle combine forces to create a magnificent installation entitled Bound for Home which in word and image recreates personal lives and stories of military personnel stationed in the fort

Speaking of the Camden Commissions Series, Cork County Council’s Arts Officer, Ian McDonagh says.

Artists need to engage with the public. This commission project has allowed us to let artists to respond imaginatively to this unique site; to create new work that has an integrity all of its own but which also allows the visitor the opportunity to understand Fort Camden in new and unexpected ways. Each commission adds a completely new dimension to the visitors understanding of the Fort and its history.

Paul Brierley of the Rescue Camden Group says,

We here at Camden Fort were extremely excited by the initial submissions to “the Camden Commission” but now we are full of anticipation to see how these ideas have come to life. It has been a fantastic journey, from concept to completion and it is one that we are sure will stimulate huge public interest. Great credit is due to the artists for their imaginative interpretation and dedication to delivering these unique displays.