Tom Meskell is a socially engaged artist and specialist in making lantern sculptures who works closely with community groups in generating commemorative events. With this Seed Grant secured by Anneli Watson, Tom led a series of workshops with Mayo County Council Art Squad volunteers. Using the subject of the human figure, each participant made a figurative lantern based on themselves. The underlying motivation behind this project was to create a visual dialogue about grief and the resources that are there to help us through a process that we all encounter in our lives. For example, our free Bereavement Support Line.
Photos: Wojciech Hajduk
On Saturday 29th April2023 (Mayo Day), a collection of finished lanterns were displayed as part of a commemorative event at Croagh Patrick at sunset. During the event loved ones who had died during the year were remembered by the group. As Tom told us:
“We had a magical evening at the foot of Croagh Patrick. I want to thank all the makers of the figures. We had a great time doing this together. It was equal parts a creative, team building / bonding, personal development journey, deepened by the context we were working in.”
Tom Meskell is a socially engaged artist based in Co Mayo. He has been delivering successful community projects nationally and internationally for 20 years / since 2010, including figurative lantern commemorative events projects. In collaboration with the community of Aughagower, Co Mayo, he made 50 human sized lantern figures. This commemorative piece was called Pilgrimage. Since then he has developed similar commemorative projects in Ireland and the US. Most recently he has been shortlisted by the Business to Arts Awards in the Best Creativity in the Community category for ‘Longford Lights Festival’ with Longford County Council. For more, visit: tommeskell.com
