A descendent of the modern-day submarine's Irish-born creator has fashioned a sculpture honouring his ancestors, known for creating the first modern submarine. In honour of his legendary ancestor, he has created a massive 3.5m (11ft 6in) sculpture out of aluminium, titanium, and recycled glass. Shane Holland, a famous Irish industrial designer, is one of the inventor's descendants.
The sculpture, dubbed Submarinocurraplane, incorporates recycled pieces from a Boeing 707. In the 1870s, John Phillip Holland, who grew up in Co Clare before immigrating to the United States, created the first modern submarine, which the US Navy officially commissioned. The aero marine engineer was also involved in developing early flying machines. Shane Holland, a famous Irish industrial designer, is one of the inventor's descendants.
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Mr Holland's celebration of aviation, maritime engineering, and historic craft will be exhibited later this month at the Art Source event at the RDS in Dublin. From November 10 to 12, about 15,000 people are scheduled to visit the art event. Art Source showcases 200 of Ireland's and the world's top contemporary artists and galleries.
Mr Holland said, "I first discovered I was distantly related to John Phillip Holland when another relative I'd never met arrived at my workshop in Duleek, Co Meath, before Covid-19 to tell me about the links. I have the same initials of JP Holland too. I was named John after my dad but my mam changed it immediately to the Irish derivative of Shane to avoid confusion in the house.
I work closely with the staff at the recycling business near my workshop, and one day they gave me a call to tell me to get down there because they were expecting a truckload of aviation stuff that they knew I'd be interested in. There were great pieces from Boeing 707 planes and, when I assembled them, they looked almost like a submarine so I decided there and then to make a sculpture to acknowledge this huge maritime invention by my ancestor."
Mr Holland, in addition to his primary pursuits, actively engages in environmental activism. Utilising his currach, he has undertaken over 100 expeditions to the islands next to Skerries. During these ventures, Mr. Holland and his workers have diligently removed around 17,500 discarded plastic items from the surrounding waters.
"Plastic bottles, gloves, life jackets, surfboards and fishing tackle are what we have gathered from the sea during our trips, and about 30 pairs of shoes, which I've also turned into a Soles Of The Sea exhibit. I think what John Holland achieved was huge, yet he died in poverty. But I think, if I met him at Art Source, I'd say 'You were some fella to keep going until you realised your dream'. I'd like to think I'm like him in that way too," added Holland.
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