Pauline Kiernan
She/her
Pauline Kiernan
Fragments II, 2024
Screen print, free machine embroidery on organdie fabric 166 x 137cm
In the quiet stillness of a Sunday morning, the tender task of shaving my father's face became an act of profound love and care. His fragile skin, marked by the ravages of illness, served as a poignant reminder of the relentless passage of time. As I wrapped him in towels and prepared the warm water, the mundane task of shaving transcended into a sacred rite, each movement deliberate and filled with the weight of unspoken words and the impending farewell. Inspired by Jane Clarke's evocative imagery in "The Rod," this body of work captures the delicate balance of life and death, highlighting the simple yet profound gestures that define our humanity. As I lathered his face, the scent of the soap mingled with memories of better days, and I embraced the task with a mixture of reverence and sorrow. The fear of causing pain was eclipsed by the need to restore a sense of dignity and normalcy to my father's fading existence. Jane Clarke's poetry resonates deeply in this work, emphasizing the beauty found in moments o
Pauline Kiernan
Fragments II, Final moments, 2024
screen print, free machine embroidery on organdie shirt & Dress 166 x 137cm
In the quiet stillness of a Sunday morning, the tender task of shaving my father's face became an act of profound love and care. His fragile skin, marked by the ravages of illness, served as a poignant reminder of the relentless passage of time. As I wrapped him in towels and prepared the warm water, the mundane task of shaving transcended into a sacred rite, each movement deliberate and filled with the weight of unspoken words and the impending farewell. Inspired by Jane Clarke's evocative imagery in "The Rod," this body of work captures the delicate balance of life and death, highlighting the simple yet profound gestures that define our humanity. As I lathered his face, the scent of the soap mingled with memories of better days, and I embraced the task with a mixture of reverence and sorrow. The fear of causing pain was eclipsed by the need to restore a sense of dignity and normalcy to my father's fading existence. Jane Clarke's poetry resonates deeply in this work, emphasizing the beauty found in moments o
Pauline Kiernan
Fragments, Weight of time , fragments II, Final moments, 2024
Screen print, free machine embroidery, hand stitch 450 x 266 cm full body of works
In the quiet stillness of a Sunday morning, the tender task of shaving my father's face became an act of profound love and care. His fragile skin, marked by the ravages of illness, served as a poignant reminder of the relentless passage of time. As I wrapped him in towels and prepared the warm water, the mundane task of shaving transcended into a sacred rite, each movement deliberate and filled with the weight of unspoken words and the impending farewell. Inspired by Jane Clarke's evocative imagery in "The Rod," this body of work captures the delicate balance of life and death, highlighting the simple yet profound gestures that define our humanity. As I lathered his face, the scent of the soap mingled with memories of better days, and I embraced the task with a mixture of reverence and sorrow. The fear of causing pain was eclipsed by the need to restore a sense of dignity and normalcy to my father's fading existence. Jane Clarke's poetry resonates deeply in this work, emphasizing the beauty found in moments o
Pauline Kiernan
Weight of time, 2024
Screen print, free machine embroidery, 56 x 43cm
In the quiet stillness of a Sunday morning, the tender task of shaving my father's face became an act of profound love and care. His fragile skin, marked by the ravages of illness, served as a poignant reminder of the relentless passage of time. As I wrapped him in towels and prepared the warm water, the mundane task of shaving transcended into a sacred rite, each movement deliberate and filled with the weight of unspoken words and the impending farewell. Inspired by Jane Clarke's evocative imagery in "The Rod," this body of work captures the delicate balance of life and death, highlighting the simple yet profound gestures that define our humanity. As I lathered his face, the scent of the soap mingled with memories of better days, and I embraced the task with a mixture of reverence and sorrow. The fear of causing pain was eclipsed by the need to restore a sense of dignity and normalcy to my father's fading existence. Jane Clarke's poetry resonates deeply in this work, emphasizing the beauty found in moments o
Pauline Kiernan
Fragments 2 of 2, 2024
free machine embroidery on vintage fabric 80 x 55 cm
In the quiet stillness of a Sunday morning, the tender task of shaving my father's face became an act of profound love and care. His fragile skin, marked by the ravages of illness, served as a poignant reminder of the relentless passage of time. As I wrapped him in towels and prepared the warm water, the mundane task of shaving transcended into a sacred rite, each movement deliberate and filled with the weight of unspoken words and the impending farewell. Inspired by Jane Clarke's evocative imagery in "The Rod," this body of work captures the delicate balance of life and death, highlighting the simple yet profound gestures that define our humanity. As I lathered his face, the scent of the soap mingled with memories of better days, and I embraced the task with a mixture of reverence and sorrow. The fear of causing pain was eclipsed by the need to restore a sense of dignity and normalcy to my father's fading existence. Jane Clarke's poetry resonates deeply in this work, emphasizing the beauty found in moments o
Pauline Kiernan
Fragments 1 of 2, 2024
free machine embroidery on vintage fabric 80 x 55 cm
In the quiet stillness of a Sunday morning, the tender task of shaving my father's face became an act of profound love and care. His fragile skin, marked by the ravages of illness, served as a poignant reminder of the relentless passage of time. As I wrapped him in towels and prepared the warm water, the mundane task of shaving transcended into a sacred rite, each movement deliberate and filled with the weight of unspoken words and the impending farewell. Inspired by Jane Clarke's evocative imagery in "The Rod," this body of work captures the delicate balance of life and death, highlighting the simple yet profound gestures that define our humanity. As I lathered his face, the scent of the soap mingled with memories of better days, and I embraced the task with a mixture of reverence and sorrow. The fear of causing pain was eclipsed by the need to restore a sense of dignity and normalcy to my father's fading existence. Jane Clarke's poetry resonates deeply in this work, emphasizing the beauty found in moments o
Pauline Kiernan
Final moments 3 of 3, 2024
Screen print, free machine embroidery, hand stitch 30cm x 30cm
In the quiet stillness of a Sunday morning, the tender task of shaving my father's face became an act of profound love and care. His fragile skin, marked by the ravages of illness, served as a poignant reminder of the relentless passage of time. As I wrapped him in towels and prepared the warm water, the mundane task of shaving transcended into a sacred rite, each movement deliberate and filled with the weight of unspoken words and the impending farewell. Inspired by Jane Clarke's evocative imagery in "The Rod," this body of work captures the delicate balance of life and death, highlighting the simple yet profound gestures that define our humanity. As I lathered his face, the scent of the soap mingled with memories of better days, and I embraced the task with a mixture of reverence and sorrow. The fear of causing pain was eclipsed by the need to restore a sense of dignity and normalcy to my father's fading existence. Jane Clarke's poetry resonates deeply in this work, emphasizing the beauty found in moments o
Pauline Kiernan
Final moments 2of 3, 2024
Screen print, free machine embroidery, Hand stitch 30cm x 30cm
In the quiet stillness of a Sunday morning, the tender task of shaving my father's face became an act of profound love and care. His fragile skin, marked by the ravages of illness, served as a poignant reminder of the relentless passage of time. As I wrapped him in towels and prepared the warm water, the mundane task of shaving transcended into a sacred rite, each movement deliberate and filled with the weight of unspoken words and the impending farewell. Inspired by Jane Clarke's evocative imagery in "The Rod," this body of work captures the delicate balance of life and death, highlighting the simple yet profound gestures that define our humanity. As I lathered his face, the scent of the soap mingled with memories of better days, and I embraced the task with a mixture of reverence and sorrow. The fear of causing pain was eclipsed by the need to restore a sense of dignity and normalcy to my father's fading existence. Jane Clarke's poetry resonates deeply in this work, emphasizing the beauty found in moments o
Pauline Kiernan
Final Moments 1 of 3, 2024
Screen print, free machine embroidery, hand stitch 30cm x 30cm
In the quiet stillness of a Sunday morning, the tender task of shaving my father's face became an act of profound love and care. His fragile skin, marked by the ravages of illness, served as a poignant reminder of the relentless passage of time. As I wrapped him in towels and prepared the warm water, the mundane task of shaving transcended into a sacred rite, each movement deliberate and filled with the weight of unspoken words and the impending farewell. Inspired by Jane Clarke's evocative imagery in "The Rod," this body of work captures the delicate balance of life and death, highlighting the simple yet profound gestures that define our humanity. As I lathered his face, the scent of the soap mingled with memories of better days, and I embraced the task with a mixture of reverence and sorrow. The fear of causing pain was eclipsed by the need to restore a sense of dignity and normalcy to my father's fading existence. Jane Clarke's poetry resonates deeply in this work, emphasizing the beauty found in moments of vulnerability and care. My father's once-strong frame, now a shadow of its former self, symbolized the unstoppable decline brought on by illness. As the day wore on, the memory of that morning's tender task lingered, a prelude to my father's final moments. Fragments of our shared history and the essence of our relationship co-exist in this simple act. These pieces reflect the profound simplicity of human connection, the grace found in small acts of love, and the heartbreaking beauty of saying goodbye.
