A literal literacy adventure

The worlds BIGGEST short story

"Through the storybook, Duncan demonstrates a delightful interconnectedness between all energies and atoms. One that many of us know to be true- but he and the story book still reveal it in ways that surprise and delight. Beyond the playful and whimsical words, beyond the art so easy to get lost in. It's also the pages of the book itself. The way they fold and roll and unravel, sometimes to great bafflement. It showcases layerings of depths and connectivity in ways unpredictable even to those already "in the know." In this way I believe it teaches us about the universe- but not as new territory, not even as anamnesis, remembering something from a past life. Rather, as an "unforgetting.
Philip Hackborn
The StoryBook Experience to me is a gentle reminding journey of inner reflection, outward adventure and a deepend truth of learning to discover who we really are & what friendship truly is. From his magnificent Oak Tree presence to the mystic calm of his timbre, Duncan is an energy of unique experience. In our interactions I am reminded to consciously slow down, indulge in the creative, embrace adversity with hope and replace chaos with calm.
April Schram
Watching Unkey Dunkey's storybook performance was mesmerizing. It's such a novel experience, and nothing like I've ever seen before. The artwork and style of each page are so unique and genuine, just like Unkey Dunkey himself. Everyone, regardless of age, should go see Unkey Dunkey and his Storybook.
Jeff Hilliard
Spiraling Towards Center encapsulates each of our unique journeys into a collective tale, playfully reminding us of our humanity and interconnectedness. This story and its creator are truly one-of-a-kind!
Whitney Caine

Duncan and Act 1
Act 1 Unfolds
Expanding Storybook
The Tallest Mountain
Community
Duncan and the Storybook Rucksack

Kirby Banman

“Duncan has woven a story of threads pulled from the fabric of life. When he holds up the tapestry, he shows you yourself.”

Laurie Gunther

Visceral. Tangible. Full on rainbow spectrum deleting every one of the senses.

FAQs

What is Spiralling Towards Centre?

Spiralling Towards Centre is a uniquely crafted storybook by Duncan Rowan Ireland.

It is made of canvas, cloth, leather, acrylic paint, phosphorescent pigments, ink, felt, needle-point thread, embroidery thread, wax-treated polyester thread, fishing line, plastic buttons, bone buttons,, metal buttons, leather buttons, plastic beads, wooden beads, metal beads, feathers, fishing flys, paper cranes wire, magnets, glitter.

How was it made?

In 2014, Duncan began construction a scroll.

In 2015, Duncan attended the Shambhala music and arts festival outside of Salmo, BC. Taking a vow of silence and sobriety for the duration of the four-day festival to write the story and begin the artwork. Creating a 20 page, uniquely unfolding storytelling performance.

The artwork would take a year to complete with such thick layers of paint, the unrolling of the scroll became an unfolding of the storybook.

In 2018, Duncan and Sarah move to New Brunswick and build a home.

In 2022, Duncan was invited to a wedding of a dear friend, and as a surprise he expanded the storybook from 20 pages to 137.

In 2023/2024, Duncan’s partner Sarah, re-scripted the story in it’s expanded form, creating a new font and layout of the text.

In 2025, Duncan began performing the expanded storybook in public again.

The storybook continues to grow. As Duncan tours, friends and family who host the performer are invited to paint themselves into the storybook; as well as sewing in buttons and beads community members gift to the storybook.

Why was it made?

Duncan had just turned 25 and wanted to see what he knew.

Duncan has continued to work on and develop the story and performance because it makes people smile and laugh and cry. It is his way to connect with community.