From the recording Here & There
On the edge of Midleton by the marshland is a beautiful feather statue 'Kindred Spirits' which was created by local artist Alex Pentek, commissioned by the town as thanks to the Choctaw Nation people who in 1847, in a time of their own suffering, donated $170 to Ireland during the famine. In May 2017 as an organiser for the Midleton Arts Festival, I organised a huge drumming event to gather the community and bring awareness to the story and the sculpture.
The sculpture is made up of 9 feathers shaped as a bowl. It looks like they are not only waiting to be filled with drumming and music, but also standing guard to protect the memories and dreams of the past, present and the future. The Choctaw story, which led to the sculpture and the community gathering, inspired the composition.