Profiling Céline Traynor and her work as a jewellery artist, this is the second in a series of occasional articles looking at the work of some of the contemporary artists featured in Newry and Mourne Museum’s temporary exhibition, ‘Newry Artists Past and Present’.
Céline Traynor was born and attended school in Newry, then studied at the University of Ulster, Belfast, graduating in Fine Craft Design in 1988. She relocated to Dublin and worked as an apprentice jeweller at Emma Stewart Libertys in Powerscourt Townhouse. In 1997, she joined the Rubicon Design Studios in Dublin, with a group of like-minded, self-employed, individual jewellers.
Céline’s business subsequently expanded, with exhibitions, trade and craft fairs. She was involved in many projects initiated by the Crafts Council of Ireland, aimed at showcasing Ireland’s contemporary designer makers at home and abroad. Various retail, private and corporate commissions continued throughout this time, including prestigious gifts presented to Irish Presidents Mary Robinsons and Mary McAleese, various jewellery pieces for the film ‘Moll Flanders’, and a pectoral cross, commissioned by the Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool, the Right
Reverend Thomas Williams. In 2002, Céline returned to Belfast and worked alongside her brother, goldsmith Garvan Traynor. Although having separate businesses, they also worked on various projects together, including significant commissions for film and TV such as ‘City of Ember’, ‘Closing the Ring’ and ‘Game of Thrones’.
Céline has diversified in the last decade to include facilitating jewellery and art workshops in the community. This practice is very different from bench work, but she finds this work really satisfying as an individual artist. She continues to exhibit, and design and make commissions for clients. Her jewellery pieces have won awards, are held in public and private collections, and are seen in a variety of publications.
Two of Céline’s pieces of jewellery are in Newry and Mourne Museum’s Collection and are currently on display in the exhibition ‘Newry Artists Past and Present’ at the Museum. They are part of a body of work relating to her memories of Canal Street and Céline here describes the inspiration behind these works:
“I was born and lived for twenty-four years in a Victorian terrace house on Canal Street, Newry, Co.Down. A black and white, minimal tile design on a now closed shop front further down the street, Wylies Electrical, which I walked passed on many, many occasions, invokes strong memories. I’m not sure if this influenced my graphic, minimalist design ethic, or if that was already in me and was awoken by the tile shapes, arrangement and mute colours! After seeking permission, in the knowledge that the building is to be demolished, I peeled of a number of these tiles as a catalyst to design and make new work. The 4 brooches, “FORM, Going, Going, Going…”, represent the demise, not only of the building that the tiles were removed from, but of the town itself, and many town and city centres across the country. Some great buildings and fine architecture have been sacrificed for progress.
The top left brooch shows the tiles intact. In the top right brooch the tiles are missing. The bottom right brooch exposes the tile grout that was holding the tiles in place, and the bottom left brooch is down to the bare bones. The 4 brooches are arranged in the original pattern.
I made the silver “Brick Work, A Civic Chain” to honour my memories of living on Canal Street, just as a mayor is bestowed a civic chain while representing a town or city’s residents.
The names and places I have stamped on the brick shaped links are not a snapshot in time but a jumbled up construct of my memories through the years, of those buildings and people that meant something to me. The names are in the right positions on both sides of the street, represented by two strands of silver chain, but not necessarily at the same time.
The brass brick that represents our house, No.48, was actually from a piece of metal I used as part of my jewellery degree show, a satisfying amalgamation of two aspects of my life from that time.”
‘Newry Artists Past and Present’ is on show at Newry and Mourne Museum until autumn 2024.
To view more of Céline Traynor’s work please visit www.celinetraynor.com
The Museum is currently offering free tours of the main exhibition galleries on Wednesdays at 2.00 pm. These must be booked in advance by calling our Education Officer at 0330 137 4422.
Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Please call 0330 137 4422 or email [email protected] for further information.
Visit their website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/museums/newry-and-mourne-museum