Praising Anna Livia
“Anna was, Livia is, Plurabelle’s to be.”
~ James Joyce
I’m delighted to reveal my illustration for the upcoming exhibition ‘Praising the Dead,’ showcasing the talented members of Illustrators Ireland. This exhibition explores the theme of remembrance by honouring and reimagining iconic figures from Irish history through art. My piece for the show is inspired by two artistic works - both of which are synonymous (or infamous) with Dublin. Both artworks pay reverence to the mysterious mythical figure of ‘Anna Livia.’ A river goddess; her name is believed to be an anglicisation of ‘Abhainn na Life',’ the Irish phrase which translates as ‘River Liffey.’ Her long flowing hair is the meandering river as it tumbles down from the heather-clad mountains of Wicklow, passing through the green fields of Kildare, and flowing with serene maturity through Chapelizod before entering the sea at Dublin port.
James Joyce represents the river in his 1939 novel Finnegan’s Wake as ‘Anna Livia Plurabelle. Anna Livia Plurabelle is a key character in Joyce’s confusingly brilliant novel; a symbolic figure embodying the River Liffey’s flow, its historical significance, and the cyclical nature of time and memory. She represents the eternal female and the universal human experience. The name ‘Plurabelle’ may hint at her ever changing ‘faces’ - the river’s ability to branch and move beyond one location.
As a born and bred Dubliner, the essence of the River Liffey flows through my veins. It’s not just a river, it is a sense of being and a sense of place. Are you a Northsider or a Southsider? The Liffey decides your fate. If you grew up in Dublin during the 1980s and 90s, you will have seen and heard of the ‘Floozie in the Jacuzzi.’ This is of course an ‘affectionate’ term (one of many) which Dubliners coined for the Gerry O’Doherty 1988 sculpture ‘Anna Livia.’ It became infamous for anti-social behaviour, and was sadly dismantled and removed in the early 2000s. I always loved this sculpture. Its imposing monumentality, and mixture of expressive bronze and rigid stonework was fascinating. It was one of the few female sculptures in Dublin City, and of course one which was abused and defaced.
I sought to raise Anna Livia from the dead, and praise her unique character once more. The main focus of my illustration was her flowing fluvial hair. The river meanders down through patchwork fields, forests, and wildflower-lined riverbanks, where it encounters knowledgable salmon and cunning foxes. When the river tumbles to its final destination, it is met with a bountiful crop of Dublin Bay oysters and cockles.
Join us in celebrating the past through powerful visual storytelling. Discover who each member of Illustrators Ireland has (p)raised from the dead! The exhibition runs from 8 May – 13 June 2025 at the Cultúrlann McAdam O Fiaich, Belfast. I hope you enjoy it ~ Rachel x