PHOTOGRAPHED ON CAPEL STREET IN SEPTEMBER 2021
THE JOCKEY BEAR BY PATRICK O'REILLY ON [CAPEL STREET SEPTEMBER 2021]
The Artwork and Artist
The Jockey Bear is part of a broader series where O'Reilly uses the figure of the teddy bear—a universal symbol of comfort—to explore human emotions and societal roles. Standing at the intersection of Capel Street and Parnell Street, this piece was part of a major outdoor exhibition that brought high-calibre contemporary art out of the galleries and onto the pavements of Dublin.
O'Reilly’s recent move into the Kintsugi style (the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold) reflects a shift toward themes of resilience. While the Jockey Bear represents playfulness and movement, his newer works like the Broken Heart serve as a poignant commentary on the collective healing following the global pandemic.
The Artwork and Artist
The Jockey Bear is part of a broader series where O'Reilly uses the figure of the teddy bear—a universal symbol of comfort—to explore human emotions and societal roles. Standing at the intersection of Capel Street and Parnell Street, this piece was part of a major outdoor exhibition that brought high-calibre contemporary art out of the galleries and onto the pavements of Dublin.
O'Reilly’s recent move into the Kintsugi style (the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold) reflects a shift toward themes of resilience. While the Jockey Bear represents playfulness and movement, his newer works like the Broken Heart serve as a poignant commentary on the collective healing following the global pandemic.

THE ART AND THE ARTIST