Ceara
“My Martin Doyle wooden flute, which is a traditional Irish music instrument, is my sentimental object. I grew up with my parents playing traditional Irish music so it was central to our family life. I have fond childhood memories of them playing gigs around the country and travelling with them; watching from the side of the stage, in the audience or sometimes I would fall asleep in the harp case.
The music connects me to my parents, my Irish heritage, and my cultural identity. I bought this flute when I was a teenager and it was the first big purchase I made. At the time, it was a commitment to playing music and continuing our family tradition. It's sentimental because it reminds me of that early connection I had to a creative passion and to my childhood. Triskele is my latest creative project, which is a collaboration with Emily Griffiths (Fiddle), Bob McNeil (Guitar), and myself on flute. The name Triskele originates from the ancient Celtic symbol meaning earth, wind, and fire.
Sentimentality for me is something that has a deeper meaning than what you see when you look at it. It can transport you back to a different time and place.” - Ceara McAuliffe Bickerton, Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington. Find Ceara: triskelemusic.co.nz (Interview: Chloe Mason) Ceara's flute is by Martin Doyle, her pottery by Peter Langford, and watercolours Marie McAuliffe.