Family Audio Tour: George Bernard Shaw

Millennium Wing foyer, Level -1

Can you find the sculpture Prince Paul Troubetzkoy (1866–1938), George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950), 1927, in this space?

Listen to the audio

Continue on the tour

• This is the last artwork on this audio tour for kids and families. We hope you had fun!
• If you skipped any of the artworks, or if you're using this at home, you can take another look at all the audio tracks and choose one you'd like to listen to next.
• Or, you might like to watch one of our Creative Challenge videos and make some art?
• Or, you could watch a funny cartoon about the Renaissance?

Transcript

Íde:

Every time I’m checking the galleries at night, this figure makes me jump! Imagine, it’s half-dark, you’re all alone, and a tall man looms ahead of you. Is he an intruder? Is he an art thief? No, he’s a sculpture!

Eoin:

I guess he does look real – he’s the size of a living person – but there’s one thing missing – colour.

Íde:

In sculptures, shape is often more important than colour – so the best way to look at it is to walk all around it and see it from different sides. Have a go.

Eoin:

He’s wearing a very smart suit and a shirt and tie – like someone who’s going to work. And he’s a bit bald – so he’s older.

Íde:

And what about the way he’s standing? Try standing in the same pose and see how it feels.

Eoin:

One foot in front; arms folded, one hand up – it’s like he’s thinking deeply and going to say something important. The head’s a l-o-o-ng way up but…  his eyes are focused on something far away, like he’s lost in thought, and his forehead is big and shiny.

Íde:

It’s a big head for a big brain – because this man was a big thinker. He was one of the most important writers Ireland has ever had. His name was George Bernard Shaw, and he wrote plays for the theatre.

Eoin:

But how is a sculpture like this made?  

Íde:

It’s a long process! The sculptor first makes a model out of clay, and once it looks right, he uses it to make a mould.

Eoin:

You mean like a jelly mould? 

Íde:

Yes, but instead of jelly, you pour in metal – bronze. 

Eoin:

But metal is hard!

Íde:

When bronze is heated up to a very high temperature, it turns into liquid. That liquid is then poured into the mould, and once it cools down, it turns solid again - and you have your sculpture!

Eoin:

Wow, amazing! I’d love to have a sculpture made of me!

Íde:

And you, if a sculpture was made of you, how would you stand? Try standing in that pose.