Dwyer speaks about his fascination with Ireland’s ancient stone-carved feminine symbols: the ‘Sheelas’, and how his latest production pays homage and gives voice to them.
In anticipation of the captivating show “SacrumProfanum” which is coming here to the ICC on Saturday September 10th, the documentary filmmaker Sé Merry Doyle met one of Ireland’s leading composer Benjamin Dwyer in Dublin, and followed him on a search to find a ‘Sheela-na-gig’; Dwyer speaks about his fascination with Ireland’s ancient stone-carved feminine symbols: the ‘Sheelas’, and how his latest production pays homage and gives voice to them.
‘SacrumProfanum’ is a new multimedia presentation featuring amplified musicians and tape. It comprises 11 powerful and poignant movements by Dwyer. In his score that combines contemporary music interfacing with traditional Irish forms and instruments and singing, Dwyer uses the concept of the Sheela as a witness to Ireland’s difficult history and to the treatment of women by Church and State. It explores these troubling themes through music that is raw and visceral, often abject but ultimately poignant and deeply powerful.
The ICC is delighted to present the London premiere of SacrumProfanum, a unique and powerful event in which you will hear the ancient Sheela-na-gigs of Ireland scream, roar and cry!
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