"Twisted Sentinel" Moneen Bog . Louisburgh County Mayo. ( completed in 2024)
 
This striking piece of bog oak showcases the natural beauty and resilience of the wood, shaped into an abstract, flowing form that resembles a vigilant figure standing tall. The dark, weathered texture highlights the intricate grain patterns and organic curves, crafted with a polished finish that accentuates its rugged elegance. Mounted on a sturdy wooden base, the sculpture captures the essence of nature's strength and timelessness, making it a captivating centrepiece for any space. (H.42cm D. 8cm. W.22cm.)
In the depths of an ancient Irish bog, young Eamon unearthed a gnarled oak, preserved for millennia in the dark peat. Its twisted form evoked a vigilant sentinel—dark-veined, with a hollow eye and spiralling branches like a warrior's defiant stance against forgotten devastation. In his home, it stood as a guardian, whispering ancient oaths on stormy nights. For Eamon, it mirrored his own resilient life—bent but unbroken. As bog mists encroached, the sentinel watched eternally, a black-veined emblem of endurance against the encroaching dark .This piece of oak ( 3000 years old) is a vintage organic abstract bog oak sculpture, crafted with a strong emphasis on its natural, tactile qualities. This ancient wood, preserved in peat for thousands of years, exhibits a rich patina-ranging from deep black to brown – due to its unique preservation process. The woods natural texture is rugged with visible grain patterns, cracks and irregularities that tell a story of its long history.
My sculptures are contemporary works crafted from ancient Irish bog oak combining organic modernism with influences from Ireland’s pre-historic and folk traditions.
Greg McInerney BA.
Irish Arts Council ARN 94510