Name
Chloé Griffin.
Where are you from?
Cork.
What do you do at crawford art gallery?
I work as a tour guide and as a Social Media & Marketing executive.
What is your experience/qualifications?
I have a Degree in English, a Higher Diploma in History of Art and an MA in Global Gallery Studies, all from University College Cork!
Why do you enjoy being a tour guide?
I enjoy being a tour guide because I get to meet such diverse people on my tours who are interested in so many different elements of the National Collection in Crawford, whether it be the style, the history behind the work or a personal connection. On many occasions I have stayed back just to chat to the visitors!
Do you have a favourite artwork, exhibition or gallery space?
It’s difficult to choose just one work or exhibition from the Collection. My go to is usually St. Brendan and the Unhappy Judas by Harry Clarke as I gave one of my first presentations in UCC on the work. I also love Men of the South by Sean Keating as I remember my dad loving it and having an A4 print of it when I was a child, so to see it in person in the Gallery at the size it is was a shock! The Widow and Sketch for the Funeral of Terence MacSwiney, Lord Mayor of Cork 1920 by John Lavery are also favourites of mine due to their historical connection with Cork.
What are your special interests or something you always discuss on tours?
The context of the works to the history of Cork and Ireland are two interests I often bring up on my tours. I also love stained glass, so I’ll usually show our stained-glass pieces on tours if I can!
Do you have any fun memories of tours to share? Perhaps a celebrity or a funny question you were asked?
I always enjoy having past pupils of the arts school on my tours as I love hearing old stories about the building and classes. I had Ireland’s first male ballet dancer Roy Galvin on a tour recently, and he had fantastic imagery which we showed me of his time while studying in the art school!
