I particularly like the ‘runway’ affect of inset halogen lights along the base of the wall. He also drew up a couple of designs for the tile and I rather like what we agreed on. There are, believe it or not, occasions when I actually like being told what to do. And then the size… why make it so difficult to choose? Luckily, I know a very good architect living on a bit of land off the north coast of Scotland who knows exactly how I deal (or don’t deal) with choices and he was very helpful. I wanted it to shine but not to mirror to be muted but not dead to be textured but still smooth. It took a long time to find just the right tile. I’m not sure which amused them most: my ‘situation’ or the fact that I was spilling my guts to a statue!Īnyway, back to the hall. It was only when I stood up to leave that I realised he wasn’t the only audience I had. I was ranting about men and relationships or something equally thrilling and was being quite frank with him – he’s that sort of chap. One particular morning, I failed to notice a couple of tourists who had sat on the far side of him. Not surprisingly, he’s an excellent listener. I have spent many a morning sitting with him, chatting about life and what’s going on. But this one of József Attila is my favourite. I’m still discovering the ‘real-life’ version of statues he wrote about in his book. He was a remarkable man and a remarkable artist. I had the very good fortune to work on Marton László’s autobiography shortly before he died last year. It was taken in winter, when it was snowing. If Iwere heading to a desert island and could only bring one picture with me, it would have to be Feny Karoly’s photo of Marton László’s statue of the Hungarian poet József Attila. And there are more, so many more, including one of me in my younger days wearing little more than a smile, cavorting on the couch with… an ashtray. Danish by birth and now living in Ireland, she’s a very witty artist with a rather distinct style. There are three of Anna Nielsen’s stick men prints (one she gave me as a present – an original, one-off, to commemorate the Irish presidential elections in 1997). And, as a student, plenty of time to find them! A year was just right for me – any longer and I think I would have found the divide between town and gown a little too wide for my liking. Home to the ubiquitous Colin Dexter, him of Inspector Morse fame the Bodleian Library the Radcliffe Camera the dining hall featured in the Harry Potter movies… there’s a never-ending treasure trove of interesting people, places and stories to find. Oxford itself is a remarkable place to live… for a year. The MA in International Publishing drew students from all over the world and made for some fascinating conversations and lasting friendships. That year was special in more ways than one. There’s also one of the Bridge of Sighs in Oxford that was taken for me by a wonderful man from Brazil whom I met while doing my MA (one half of the eponymous Alberto and Sabrina duo). It’s still an amazing place though and the photo that Ms McCabe took of it, a copy of which now hangs in my hallway, still manages to calm the most anxious of days. You could sit for hours without being bothered by another soul. Years ago, before the visitors’ centre and car-parks beckoned tour buses en route from Shannon Airport to Galway, it was a rugged, lonely, windswept place where, with a little imagination, you could almost see America. This is, perhaps, one of my favourite places in Ireland. There is also one of the Cliffs of Moher, so beautifully pictured in the opening scene of Ryan’s Daughter. Once I pass it I know I’m either coming or going. Even today, it’s my gateway to the capital. When Iwas in college I would get the bus back to Dublin on a Sunday evening and I always new I was ‘home’ when we drove past the ha’penny bridge. There’s a photo of the ha’penny bridge in Dublin. Each one has a story or a memory encased in it. I am particularly blessed that this long hallway (nearly 7 metres) is perfect for showing off my B&W photos. Not the most original idea in the world perhaps, but one that has been a long time in the making. I think it was when I was going through my ‘country mansion’ stage that I first hit on the idea of a black-and-white hallway.
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