Tuam Chair

"Here is an object that I would like you to consider: the Tuam chair. It is a type of a vernacular chair with some specimen found in the National Museum, both in Dublin (this one has a great personal backstory) and Castlebar. It became closely associated with Tuam when Al O'Dea started to replicate this historic type in his workshop in an attempt to celebrate and promote Irish craft furnitue in the 60s, I believe, in an effort parallel to the KDW. Two cabinet makers in Tuam still make them, and both have personal connections to Al O'Dea. They are interesting to talk to as I have during my recent research about this chair. We are using it for a public art project in Tuam, and I was surprised to learn just how many locals can relate to the chair and either have one at home or in the attic, or know one who does."