At the time of his death in 1945, Albert Power was the leading nationalist sculptor in the Irish Free State. Power's work sprang from deeply held nationalist beliefs and he felt that subject matter alone was insufficient to ensure a distinctive Irish art. Wherever possible he deliberately chose native stone, believing that this best conveyed a nationalist sentiment, such as the limestone he used in the beloved monument to Padraic Ó Conaire in Galway.

In this first major examination of his life and career, Power's sculpture is explored both at the time of its production and within the broader context of writers and artists who wished to contribute to the new nation's cultural identity, a legacy that modern Ireland enjoys today.