Rory Breslin (b.1963) The September Mask Bronze, 67cm high, 38cm wide (26¼ x 15) Edition 1/3 The ninth mask in the Clew Bay Series, which chronicles and celebrates the emergence of native flora and fauna as they appear by month in the Co. Mayo bay area, The September Mask is alert and engaging. With her deep dark eyes assertively arresting the viewer, and, appearing in expression to address them, this assuredness is somewhat softened by the Nóinín mór or Oxeye Daises, appropriately framing her eyes above and on her cheekbones. Leaves of the Ribwort Plantain, in folklore chewed and applied to a sore to encourage healing, drape from her temples and envelope the lower part of the work encasing Blackberries, Rosehips and Willowherb leaves. Shaped like a Lunula with wings outstretched, below the Sparrow cuts through the undergrowth. Sacred to Aphrodite, but lecherous to Shakespeare, this bird is escaping the dramatic dive of the Sparrow-hawk. This 'bird of the wind' energetically crowns the piece, its dynamism softened only by the nexus of Bindweed flowers