Pluid Project 2021
*Pluid, pronounced plidge is Irish for blanket
Pluid – The National Comfort Blanket Project was established by artists and sisters Claire Halpin and Madeleine Hellier who put out an open call to artists, crafters, makers and doers of all ages in all communities across Ireland and further afield to create small artworks (6” x 6”) in any medium considering the theme of ‘comfort’; what has given artists and creatives comfort and solace during the challenging times of the pandemic?
It was launched on 1st February 2021 to celebrate St. Brigid’s Day, recalling in her story that her cloak grew and grew to provide comfort for a whole community.
This project really struck a chord with me and I was delighted to get involved with it. Being at home with little kids (and pregnant!) during a global pandemic was definitely unexpected and I wasn’t sure how, when or if I could continue my art practice. The subject of comfort was intriguing; how to take comfort in times of uncertainty?
As I sat gazing out my window and pondering this thought I realised I was ‘hugging’ a freshly brewed cup of tea in my beautiful Nicholas Mosse pottery mug. The mug itself was given to me as a gift from very kind and thoughtful cousins which in itself brings a lot of comfort and then there’s the tea itself, an Irish tradition. And so “A Cuppa Comfort” was born.
‘There’s no upset that can’t be solved with a strong cup of tea and a chat’
Upon doing a little bit of research I discovered a fascinating history between Ireland and its favourite beverage that I wasn’t fully aware of. You can read more about this in the resources section below.
The response to Pluid was amazing with over 1,200 works of art received across a wide range of media and technique, from traditional to contemporary. Each artwork is accompanied by a personal written response about something that brought comfort to its maker during lockdown, providing insight to the ordinary and extraordinary in our pandemic lives; the importance of family, friends and community, the unusual joys found of living within one’s 5k; giving a renewed appreciation of the beauty of nature, gardens, pets, sea swims and cups of tea!
The works were all assembled like connected crochet-squares and exhibited as our ‘national comfort blanket’ at The Cowshed Gallery, Farmleigh Estate from 27th August – 5th September 2021. I was lucky enough to visit the exhibition while it was in place and it was breath-taking!
Following the exhibition the individual artworks will be auctioned online in aid of Pieta House so please consider placing a bid on my little cuppa or any other piece that takes your eye.