Feisty-looking bronze sculpture by artist Aidan Harte is on display at Timeless, the Irish Antique Dealers’ Fair, which returns to Dublin’s RDS from September 15 to 17
Witness the feisty-looking Púca sculpture by artist Aidan Harte, currently showcased at Timeless, the Irish Antique Dealers’ Fair. This highly anticipated event will take place at Dublin’s RDS from September 15 to 17. The bronze sculpture, standing at a height of 58cm, is available for purchase at Sol Art for €8,500.
This Púca sculpture is the final piece in a collection of six created by Harte. The previous five sculptures have already been sold, making this one a highly sought-after art piece. It is also the smaller version of the renowned Púca of Ennistymon (2021), a 2m-high sculpture presently displayed at the Michael Cusack Centre in Carran, Co Clare. However, getting the Púca settled in that location was not without its challenges.
Creating a sculpture embodying the Púca spirit was destined to attract attention, but Harte’s experience with public commissions had given him a false sense of security. He explains, “There was a call for a sculpture for Ennistymon in Co Clare. The town has a cool hipster vibe but often gets overlooked by tourists. Clare County Council wanted a sculpture to catch their attention, and I proposed the Púca. I’m fascinated by this character’s dark and unconventional nature, as it embodies mythological surrealism.”
The selection process for the sculpture followed the usual procedure, involving a committee consisting of the project’s lead engineer, the county arts officer, and a local business person or artist. Harte secured the commission and began working on the Púca sculpture. However, things took an unexpected turn.
“A photo of the work in progress was leaked on a local Facebook page,” reveals Harte. The residents of Ennistymon expressed their outrage, questioning the suitability of the sculpture for their town. The Púca sculpture, depicting a horse-headed creature with a humanoid body, elicited mixed reactions. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the objections stemmed from deeper concerns.
Fr Willie Cummins, during Sunday mass, denounced the sculpture as “sinister.” Local Fine Gael senator Martin Conway expressed that the Púca still instilled fear in elderly individuals. Erecting a statue of a fairy associated with bad luck was considered inappropriate, disrespectful, and offensive. However, it’s important to note that the mythological Púca is known to bring both good and bad luck, much like the enigmatic leprechaun.
Uncertainty loomed over whether Harte’s sculpture would ever be displayed. “Usually, people voice their opinions after a sculpture has already been installed,” he remarks. “In this case, they formed their opinions before even seeing it.”
The controversy gained momentum as several celebrities expressed their admiration for the Púca sculpture, leading to more attention and discussions. Although the objections were often rooted in superstition, they ultimately reflected a community that felt the artwork was imposed on them without proper consultation.
Due to the breakdown of the consultation process, Clare County Council enlisted the help of a conflict resolution firm. Harte recalls, “They conducted an online poll, and unfortunately, my sculpture didn’t win.” Ennistymon rejected the Púca sculpture.
Eventually, the €30,000 artwork found its rightful place at the Michael Cusack Centre in the Burren. The sculpture was unveiled in June 2022 and is now surrounded by historical significance. “It’s a fitting location,” expresses Harte. “Cusack, the founder of the GAA, played a key role in the Gaelic revival. Moreover, the centre is situated in the townland of Poulaphuca, where the Púca belongs, perfectly at ease, and ready to delight visitors with photo opportunities.”
Tour guides now utilize the Púca sculpture to introduce children to Irish mythology. Harte explains, “He may be scary, but in a similar way to a haunted house at a fairground. Rubbing his toe is considered good luck.” It’s evident that the Púca has a stellar PR team promoting his mythical presence.
Currently, Harte is a finalist for another public art commission, the ‘Sculpture on the Square’ project in Roscommon Town. His proposed sculpture portrays Queen Maeve in a unique way. “It depicts Her Majesty in all her glory, accompanied by a bull,” he adds. One can only wonder what unexpected challenges await.
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