CURRENT EXHIBITION
L O V E * INSTALLATION
KILKENNY CITY HALL ON NOW
The Amber One Million Stars to End Violence Project is a community arts project that connects our community through the craft of weaving stars. The hand-woven stars represent light, hope and solidarity against all forms of violence.
We hold star weaving workshops and have star installations to raise public awareness. The project began in Australia by artist and weaver Maryann Talia Pau and is now a global movement. Amber brought the project to Ireland and it continues to grow throughout the country. We aim to weave One Million Stars and bring the project to the whole of Ireland. We currently have weavers in counties Kilkenny, Carlow, Louth, Waterford, Tipperary, Limerick, Mayo, Galway and Meath, Monaghan, Cavan. Clare and Galway.
Amber Refuge are delighted to announce a Stars to End Violence Exhibition at Kilkenny Castle from May 16th until June 7th for International Day of Light and International Day of Living in Peace Together.
The exhibition at Kilkenny castle Titled LOVE is a reminder that in uncertain times we are innately connected as humans by both our vulnerability and our strength. That as a community we can show support and compassion in adversity. That love and compassion are stronger than hate and violence; love is universal and instils hope and encourages connection. We are reminded of what it means to show healthy love: respect, acceptance, trust, empathy, and unity. Inspired by the Martin Luther King quote: “Returning hate for hate multiples hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
The exhibition comprises of a 3D structure of the letters spelling LOVE, crafted in Precast steel and kindly donated by JM Steel Cuffesgrange and installed by Kilkenny Hydraulics. Hand woven stars made by a cross section of our community are tied to the letters. Star weavers include TY students from St Brigid’s College Callan, Kilkenny College, Loreto and Presentation Kilkenny, Syrian women’s group, the community of Callan, students from Carlow College St Patricks, Rehab Care, Mental Health Ireland, the ICA, and many weavers across the county who have supported us since November 2019. The stars are on view from May 16th until June 7th. There will be an information afternoon and star display in The Medieval Room of Kilkenny Castle from 12pm-5pm Sunday May 16th. Members of the public can register with us and receive a free weaving kit to take home. (Strict covid guideline apply). To find out more about our project or to donate to Amber Refuge visit www.onemillionstarsireland.ie
The opening of the exhibition – May 16th falls on UNESCO International Day of Light which is also International Day of Living in Peace Together.
International Day of Light celebrates the role light plays in science, culture and art, education, and sustainable development: “light is a universal symbol of life, inclusion, and renewal. Light is associated with illumination, or spiritual awakening. Light is seen in opposition to darkness, which represents ignorance and intolerance.”Shamila Nair-Bedouelle – Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences
The united Nations International Day of Living in Peace Together is all about accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognize, respect and appreciate others, as well as living in a peaceful and united way. It is a day to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity. The day aims to uphold the desire to live and act together, united in differences and diversity, in order to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity and harmony.
Previous Exhibitions
Ten Thousand Stars and LOVE @MacDonagh Junction runs from 25th Nov-current https://macdonaghjunction.com/one-million-stars-project/
Creative Ireland supports our project https://www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/event/one-million-stars-community-installation-by-amber-refuge/
During August 2020 our exhibition formed part of Design and Craft Council of Irelands Sculpture Trail, CONNECTED. Connected | National Design & Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, Ireland (ndcg.ie) 3,000 stars woven during the first lockdown were displayed in The Medieval Mile Museum as a symbolic representation of a connected community in solidarity against all forms of violence Culture Night Kilkenny 2020 – Visit Kilkenny
For photos of exhibitions and to register as a star weaver visit our Website: Home – One Million Stars Ireland
We also display stars in shop windows to raise domestic violence awareness within the community #amberstarhost #weaveastartostandagainstviolence
Weaving Communities of Courage Against Violence – Yulefest Kilkenny Weaving Communities of Courage Against Violence – Yulefest Kilkenny
Photo Credit: FREDDIE GREENALL AND CASTLE BLUE SKY AND MOON:STEPHANIE MCDERMOTT posters: Carol Ann Treacy
One Million Stars TO END VIOLENCE EXHIBITION KILKENNY CITY HALL ON NOW
To Mark the 16 Days of Activism MacDonagh Junction hosted the Amber Refuge Stars to End Violence Project
The Exhibition ran from the 25th November over the 16 Days of Activism and throughout the Christmas period. The hand-woven stars are made by members of the community and each star represents light, hope and solidarity against violence.
SPECIAL Thanks To
