Irish Adventure
Back in March of this year, Michael and I the great pleasure of traveling to Ireland to visit with Aidan Breen. We asked our friend and fellow instructor, Douglas Pryor, if he knew of any artists we should look up in Ireland. He passed on Aidans name to us as someone he had heard was a “lovely fellow” from another artist friend. That description couldn’t have been more spot on. Aidan was, from the start, so welcoming and kind. He met us at the bus stop and we walked through his quaint little town all the while listening to stories about each passing landmark, winding our way up the hill to the tidy street where he lives. His studio was tiny and worked in, just the way it should be. From the start he and Michael talked and talked about each piece he so graciously showed us. We spoke of the importance of an apprenticeship and how they have become less available to people wanting to learn the fine crafts. We had tea with Aidan and his charming wife, talked about our children and their grandchildren, books, art, and Ireland. We feel very lucky to have been able to meet them both and to get to spend some time with Aidan and his work.
Here are some excerpts from his website (aidanjbreen.com) and some photos from our visit with Aidan.
Aidan specializes in one-off items of gold & silver hollowware and jewelry. Dublin native and pioneer of the Renaissance of Celtic jewelry, Aidan was trained in his craft by a traditional seven year apprenticeship as a “chaser†beginning at age 14 at M.H.Gill and Son, Church Furnishers in Dublin.
A chaser works artistic designs into the surface of metal with a hammer and punches or chisels. Working in a large workshop with many other craftsmen as a young man he was able to develop his talent and skill working side-by-side with the most experienced and knowledgeable artisans in the field.
Aidan learned his craft working on chalices, monstrances and tabernacles, while attending the National College of Art at night. After working for several other silver manufacturers as a chaser Aidan went into business on his own in 1978, specializing in the distinctly Celtic design tradition that had nearly died out in metal arts. Many people are surprised to learn that there were practically no jewelers in Ireland working in Celtic design in the middle of the 20th century.
Aidan Breen, Raised and Chased Bracelet
Aidan’s example in the renaissance of Celtic design and popularity of his work led many other Irish craftsmen to look to their heritage for inspiration.
“As a young lad, I was always fascinated with the ancient and medieval treasures on display at the National Museum in Kildare Street. This was a place I frequently visited on weekends and still often go for inspiration.†Breen is an avid researcher and collector of books on the earlier Celtic Revival, a movement which began in the 1840s and continued into the first several decades of the 20th century.
As the Celtic Revival faded in other decorative arts in Ireland it remained strong in church furnishings and sports trophies. Since Aidan was immersed in this area as a young man, he had no idea at the time how out of fashion this style was. But as luck would have it, when the Celtic Revival got its second wind in the 1970s, Aidan was in a unique position to lead a new generation of artists and craftsmen as the acknowledged master of this style. Breen continues to produce larger pieces as well.
Former Irish President Mary McAleese is often seen wearing a brooch Breen crafted in the form of four swans, illustrating the “Children of Lir†legend. More recently Aidan was given one of the highest honors available to an Irish goldsmith, being commissioned by the Dublin Assay Office to make a piece for the permanent collection. This masterpiece, which took over four years to complete, is a silver sculpture in the form of a Moorish tower, chased with scenes from James Joyce’s novel, Ulysses. He has also completed another prestigious project a chased and repoussed 16†Dish, a commission for the National Museum of Ireland’s permanent collection.
