Una Watters facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Una Watters
|
|
|---|---|
A self-portrait
|
|
| Born |
Una McDonnell
4 November 1918 Dublin, Ireland
|
| Died | 20 November 1965 (aged 47) |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation | librarian and artist |
Una Watters (born November 4, 1918 – died November 20, 1965) was a talented Irish artist and also worked as a librarian. She is famous for creating the 'Claíomh Solais' (which means 'Sword of Light') image. This special image was used to remember the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1966.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Una Watters was born in Dublin, Ireland, on November 4, 1918. Her birth name was Una McDonnell. She went to school at the Holy Faith Convent in Glasnevin.
After that, she studied art at the National College of Art and Design. A well-known artist named Maurice MacGonigal was her mentor there. While she was studying, Una also worked as a librarian.
Family Life
On March 10, 1945, Una married Eoghan Ó Tuairisc, who was a poet and writer. They lived together in a cottage in Cappagh Cross, Finglas. Una often painted in their kitchen.
Una Watters' Art Career
Una Watters showed her paintings at the Royal Hibernian Academy from 1956 to 1965. She exhibited her work alongside other famous artists. She was also a member of the Society of Dublin Painters.
Artistic Style and Subjects
Her early paintings often showed religious scenes. Later, she started painting everyday life. She mostly used oil paints. Her more recent works became a bit more abstract, showing influences from modern art.
Besides painting, Una was also skilled at drawing and calligraphy. She designed greeting cards and illustrated many books and magazines. In the 1960s, she illustrated a series of religious books written by her uncle, Brian O'Higgins.
The Claíomh Solais Image
In 1965, Una Watters won an award from the Arts Council. For this award, she created her most famous artwork, the 'Claíomh Solais' (Sword of Light). This image became the main symbol for the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising.
The 'Claíomh Solais' image was used everywhere! You could see it on badges, brooches, and tie pins. It was also on all the official books and even on a special stamp and stickers for the event.
Legacy and Exhibitions
Sadly, Una Watters passed away suddenly on November 20, 1965. The money from the Arts Council award arrived on the morning of her funeral.
Remembering Her Work
About a year after she died, her husband organized a special art show. It featured 37 of her oil paintings at the Dublin Painters Gallery on St Stephen's Green.
Today, some of her paintings are in public collections. The Hugh Lane Gallery has her painting called The People’s Garden. The Phibsboro library, where she used to work, still displays her painting The Four Masters. Navan library also has a painting she made of her uncle, Brian O'Higgins.
Recent Exhibitions
For many years, Una Watters's art was not widely seen. However, in 2022, a writer named Mary Morrissy organized a new exhibition of Una's work in Dublin. This show displayed 20 of the original paintings from the 1966 exhibition, plus some newly found watercolor pieces.
In 2023, one of Una Watters's paintings, Girl Going by Trinity in the Rain (1965), was given to the National Gallery of Ireland. This helps more people see and appreciate her amazing art.
