'BARDO' OPENING AT THE LAOIS ARTHOUSE

Sigil series 2016

PRESS RELEASE:

The Laois Arthouse Gallery, Stradbally, Co. Laois, will present 'Bardo,' an exhibition of paintings and sound installation by Aisling Conroy.  Jenny Haughton, Public Art Advisor to Grangegorman Urban Quarter, will officially launch the Exhibition on Sunday 12th June at 3pm.

'Bardo' meaning "intermediate state" derives from, Bardo Thodol (“liberation through hearing during the intermediate state”). The text describes the different stages referred to in the Tibetan Book of the Dead, which instruct and guide the consciousness from life into death. This transitioning journey can also be understood as change and reincarnation within the living world.

Aisling Conroy's latest work, explores the idea of intention, reincarnation and repetition. Her paintings, which channel impressions of mystic rituals and that resemble meditative aids; are inspired by Eastern religious iconography and Tantric art. In ‘The Wisdom Of the Heart’ and in the ‘Sigil’ series, Conroy attempts to represent doors or portals that must be passed through during the process of transformation or ‘liberation’ within love, life, death and rebirth.

Also on exhibition will be a number of items on loan from the Patrick Scott Archive in the National Irish Visual Arts Library, Dublin. Through this invaluable archive, Aisling has drawn parallels between her own art practice and life as an artist. A Patrick Scott drawing, one of his studio books and personal photographs will be included alongside the work in ‘Bardo.’

Aisling was awarded a Laois Arthouse artist-in-residence bursary, where she worked on developing this exhibition. “During my time at the Laois Arthouse, I explored and developed this new body of work that was informed by and made in response to a collection from the late Patrick Scott, recently bequeathed to The National Irish Visual Arts Library. This donation is a rare and previously unseen collection of Scott's day-to-day studio diaries, photographs, correspondence and drawings. Zen Buddhism, meditation, veneration and ritual directly influenced Scott’s work; recurrent veins that have grown throughout my own practice and have indirectly influenced this exhibition, “- Aisling

Conroy Aisling Conroy is originally from Portlaoise. She is a Dublin based artist using drawing, painting, sculpture, sound, and installation. She graduated from The National College of Art and Design with a BA Hons degree in 2009 and an MFA postgraduate degree in 2011. Aisling has exhibited in various venues around Ireland, as well as having exhibited in the US, China and India. Her work is represented in public and private collections, both nationally and internationally.  Aisling also works at the library and archives of the National College of Art and Design, Dublin.

Opening times:

Tues and Thurs 1pm-5pm & 5.30pm-8pm

Sat: 10am-1pm (except on Bank Holidays)

(Entry through library)

Wed and Fri 1pm-4pm (entry through Laois Arthouse)

For more details contact T: 057 8664033 E: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie

OFFSET, BARCA, CRUMLIN AND 'BARDO'

It has been a busy couple of months, to say the least!April got off to a sweet little start with the OFFSET festival at Bord Gáis. I had the opportunity to attend Friday's day of events and not surprisingly, it was filled with lots of inspiring creatives and their work. Stephen Kelleher commenced the day with an outstanding presentation and insight into his work and life as a designer. Robert Ballagh amazed the audience with his impressive portfolio and all round modest personality to boot, and Morag Myerscough blew me away with her wonderful colour installations.  The day ended with lots of laughs for Mr. Bingo- a real treat to see what this guy has done! As usual, walking away from OFFSET, one feels a slight envy seeping in (lets be honest!) but overall an inspiring, uplifting and reassuring day to be an artist, designer and maker. Creative brains unite!Barcelona was the next highlight of the month. I was very lucky to have the opportunity to visit ELISAVA design and engineering university in Barcelona on a staff exchange. All of the staff at ELISAVA were so helpful, especially Andreu and Paolo who gave me the grand tour of the Library and college campus there. Meeting with some of the postgrad students, as well as the first year Product Designers was a really enjoyable experience, and interesting to see the similarities between NCAD and ELISAVA.Just from visiting MACBA, The Picasso Museum, as well as numerous of the smaller art galleries and design houses; the city was bursting with food for thought...as well as food for devouring! Amazing city to visit- thank you Barcelona!:)As Co-Founder of a new artist collective, Studio Blasta, I have just finished a mammoth project with two other artists and designers, Anita McCarthy and Bláthnaid Ní Mhurchú for Crumlin Children's Hospital. The project is a collaboration between Google and Vision branding to redesign the infamously dark and dreary "Long Walk" corridor in the hospital.It has been a tough few months to try and get all of this design work together, along with all of our own busy home and professional working lives; but we got there! and the work is being installed by Vision this week. We're hoping to launch the new 'Magical Corridor' on Wed 1st June to celebrate making this space a more creative, imaginative and fun space for children, their family and the staff at Crumlin Children's Hospital. We're hoping there will be lots of smiles on this newly imagined corridor!And finally, i'm on the last stint of preparation for the solo exhibition 'Bardo' at The Arthouse in Stradbally on June 12th. This is surely a day to relax and celebrate all of the hard work put into the residency and traveling up and down to the studio last year.  'Bardo' is an exhibition of new and unseen paintings and a sound installation, about life, death and renewal. The exhibition will be opened by Jenny Haughton, lecturer at IADT and Public Art Co-ordinator of the Grange Gorman Development Agency. Light food and refreshments with be served. Press release and invites to follow in the coming weeks. 

 

From left to right:

OFFSET Dublin 2016, ELISAVA, Barcelona; Elephant motif, Crumlin Children's hospital, 'Sigil' (2016) series for the exhibition 'Bardo.'

RTE's Reflecting the Rising: The Diary of an Artist in Dublin, 1916

Clongowes window, 1916; watercolour and ink design by Michael Healy

It was an honor to be invited to take part in this years commemoration of the Easter Rising in Dublin City on Easter Monday, alongside the Digital Repository of Ireland and RTE's Reflecting the Rising series. Showcasing ' Michael Healy's 1916 Diary: A Centenary Debut' on behalf of The National Irish Visual Arts Library (NIVAL), the presentation aimed to inform people about the diary of one of Ireland's renowned stained glass artists, Michael Healy. In his diary, Healy documents a very real and personal account of his experience during this historic period,  and ultimately the challenges he faced working as an artist in Dublin City during the Easter Rising. The event which was held at the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) was extremely well received and the discourse on each talk, informative and intriguing. A proud and emotional weekend in Dublin's fair city.As part of ‘Reflecting the Rising’, the Digital Repository of Ireland invited members of the public to enjoy ‘pop-up’ talks and interactive site presentations of Inspiring Ireland, the multiple award-winning project by DRI at the Royal Irish Academy. It brought together fascinating objects – photos, diaries, medals, ephemera, and more – that first came to public attention at last year’s ‘Road to the Rising’ event in the GPO. They are now displayed and openly available within Inspiring Ireland 1916, a series of curated exhibitions that combine public memorabilia alongside ‘iconic’ objects from national cultural collections and RTÉ Archives.The talks and site demonstrations by digital cultural heritage experts and  historians aimed to  help visitors learn more about the public and private stories of 1916 in Inspiring Ireland, stories that paint a picture of everyday lives during this important year in Ireland’s history. Pop-up speakers on the day included Teresa Breathnach, Natalie Harrower, Brian Hughes, Timothy G. McMahon and Pádraig Yeats.  DRI is Ireland’s national trusted digital repository for humanities and social sciences data. This means that digitised 1916 content is preserved for long-term access and discovery, and will continue to be available to a worldwide audience for the next 100 years and beyond. 

Thou Art: Dublin- Cast and Crew Screening at the Irish Film Institute

And so, the long awaited documentary Thou Art: Dublin is about to be previewed in the Irish Film Institute (IFI)  this Saturday 26th March for its cast and crew members . The documentary was filmed around the streets of Dublin, in my then studio, at The Talbot Gallery & Studios on Talbot Street; and in the other participating artist's studios (Joe Ryan, Colin O’Daly, Donal MacManus, Donal Murray). A lot has changed since 2012 when this was filmed; both in terms of my practice, and in my outlook on the Dublin/Irish art scene -little did I know that we'd be watching the finished product in the IFI four years later!  Looking forward to seeing the preview, and meeting the other artists and crew.Thou Art: Dublin is a documentary that attempts to paint an intimate portrait of the creative life of Dublin.  Set in post-Celtic Tiger Ireland, the film documents the efforts of five artists as they communicate the vision of their work amid the difficulties of the recession. More info here  

The Last Day- Knowing You, Knowing Me

  

It's coming to the end of the residency here at the Arthouse. I started back in August 31st 2015 with many plans, inspirations and aspirations; and six months on, I've come out of it with a body of work that I never expected. The artist Padraig Robinson's artwork 'Knowing You, Knowing Me'(2007) which is on display just outside my studio door; seemed to resonate volumes as I packed up my things and left the Arthouse.

The initial listing for the Patrick Scott Archive has been completed and will entail a much larger project in hand for NIVAL in the coming year; something that the archive are very excited about. Simultaneously working in the studio and delving through Pat's collection has inspired the work, but without doubt, the dark Winter months of travelling to the studio every week have certainly managed to make their "spiritual stamp" on the paintings ('Sigil' series, 2015) and some of the sound/video work too.  The Winter has been tough, but over all an incredible experience having such a serene, comfortable space to come and work in.

The support which I received throughout my time at the Arthouse has been undying. With many thanks and appreciation to Muireann Ní Chonaill, Maureen Culliton, Bridie Keenan Wendy Wright, and Julie Ann Shead in the Library for all their help during the residency. A serious band of women to behold! And a special thank you to NIVAL for access to their significant resources.

The work made in residence at the Arthouse will be on exhibition in June 2016 at The Arthouse Gallery. Details TBA.

Patrick Scott, date unknown; courtesy of NIVAL

 

A snap shot from the collection at NIVAL

 

Sigil (2015) 15cm x 15cm;  acrylic and nylon thread on wood

The Arthouse 2015: A Life Filled with Love and Expression

On ending 2015 and four months into the residency at Laois Arthouse, my research on Patrick Scott and his work grows to new levels as I have delved into his collection of papers and studio books at NIVAL.

Scott's love affair with simplistic forms in shimmering gold, influenced by Zen Buddhism, as well as his earlier work with striking Bauhaus tones in a brilliant rainbow of colours, appear to mirror his long colourful life. This is the impression that I get as I continue to appraise this collection and discover through numerous warm and heartfelt letters, postcards, greetings cards and fax mail from adoring friends and colleagues. Adored not just for his art, his skill and his professionalism, but for his friendship, his kindness, his witty humor, his understanding and his wisdom. I began this project with the artist in mind, his work and the influence it has has on my own practice; but now I have begun to get a glimpse of the person, and a life filled with love and expression. (Note: All photographs are taken for documentary purposes*)

The making in the studio still continues. I have just completed a series of six paintings titled 'Sigil I-VI'. One of these in currently on display at the Dunamaise Gallery for their annual Winter show. The work attempts to interpret various forms of mystic ritual and meditative aids inspired by religious iconography, Zen and Sufi art.

Thirteen boxes: the Patrick Scott Collection in its totality.

Brochure design for the Dublin International Theatre Festival, 1957.

A design for a Brown Thomas lighting brochure, 1952.

Early designs for an Irish tourism brochure

One of Pat's infamous cat drawings from a fax mail:)

Wilhelmina Geddes: Life and work by Nicola Gordon Bowe

I had the privilege to have digitised images for Nicola Gordon Bowe's new book 'Wilhelmina Geddes: Life and work.' Such a beautiful publication about an extraordinary artist. The book was launched on Thursday 29th October at the Irish Architectural Archive.Wilhelmina Geddes (1887–1955) was a vital figure in the Irish Arts and Crafts movement and the 20th-century British stained glass revival – a medieval-modernist painter of rare intellect, skill and aesthetic integrity. On her death she was described as ‘the greatest stained glass artist of our time’ but since then she has been largely forgotten.Wilhelmina Geddes (1887–1955) was a vital figure in the Irish Arts and Crafts movement and the 20th-century British stained glass revival – a medieval-modernist painter of rare intellect, skill and aesthetic integrity. On her death she was described as ‘the greatest stained glass artist of our time’ but since then she has been largely forgotten.This magisterial account aims to bring Geddes, her world and her work to the wider audience that she deserves. As she moved from Belfast (where she attended art school), to Dublin (where she studied under William Orpen and worked with Sarah Purser at An Túr Gloine) to London (where she lived and worked throughout the Second World War and its aftermath), Geddes continued to produce stained glass and other works of unique power and originality.Concentrating on the remarkable stained glass for which she is best known but also including other media such as printmaking and textiles, this study draws on hitherto-unpublished primary sources and images to fully celebrate Geddes’ remarkable artistic achievement.Nicola Gordon Bowe, associate fellow, National College of Art & Design, has lectured and published widely on the applied arts and design. Publications include The Arts and Crafts Movements in Dublin and Edinburgh with E.S. Cumming (1998); Harry Clarke: the life and work (4th edition, 2012).Visit Four Courts Press for more details.

The Arthouse, Stradbally and Mojo

One month has passed by on the residency at the Arthouse.  The peace and serenity of the studio and its surroundings has been unreal, a godsend. It always takes time to get settled into a studio and find ones "mojo"; but thankfully, a momentum has begun...

The Barrow River on a sunny day in Stradbally village

 

In The Beginning: Laois Arthouse Residency

After just completing my first week of a six month residency at Laois Arthouse in Stradbally, County Laois; it was hard not to be distracted by the excitement and anticipation of the music festival, Electric Picnic which surrounded the village last week. But despite that, I managed to settle in and set up shop for the months ahead.I have the rare opportunity to explore, a previously unseen Patrick Scott collection which was bequeathed to The National Irish Visual Arts Library (NIVAL) . The collection consists of Scott's studio books and diaries, professional and personal correspondence and even some maquettes from theatre productions sets that he had designed. The next six months will be the initial stages of archiving this acquisition, in the Edward Murphy Library at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, where I work;  while simultaneously making work at the Arthouse in response to my findings within this collection, which will be predominantly through painting and sound.Included in the acquisition, is a box labelled 'Studio Books,' and it was there that I found a book by Henry Miller, published in 1947 called 'The Wisdom of the Heart'  (the title alone caught me without any hesitation).This book is a combination of essays written articulately and non apologetically about creativity, culture and ultimately, the human condition. Essay titles include 'Creative Death', 'The Enormous Womb' and 'The Cosmological Eye' to name but a few. So far i'm enthralled, and this book from Scott's own studio practice has already charged the beginning of a six-month artistic endeavor at the Arthouse. With gratitude to Pat.* Miller, Henry. (1947) The Wisdom of the Heart, London: Editions Poetry London 

SCOOP Art Cook Book

Ode to Boogie Woogie' (2015) acrylic, corrugated cardboard and wood; 36cm x 28cm x 5cm 

Over the past number of years, when Andrew Sweeney from the SCOOP Foundation has invited me to take part in the next art auction, i've always been delighted to be a part of it; but this year’s annual SCOOP Art Auction & Exhibition is extra special...The Scoop Foundation has invited 33 of Ireland’s most loved artists to provide a creative recipe, and to provide an equally creative artwork to illustrate it. The result? -a truly unique cook AND art book, showcasing creative talents and tastes in Ireland today!The 33 artworks from the Cook Book will be on display in the Third Space cafe in Smithfield from the 10th of Sept until the 30th of Sept . On the 30th of September they will be sold at an exciting live auction, along with 65 other selected artworks that are on show at The Lighthouse Cinema, both in Smithfield. A great night out and, most importantly, it's for a brilliant cause.In alphabetical order, the featured artists are:Adrienne M. Finnerty, Adrian Michael Mulryan, ADW, Aidan Butler, Aisling Conroy, Alan O’Connor, Alison McDonnell, Bennie Reilly, Boz Mugabe, Brian Gallagher, Christopher Curran, Daire Irwin,DANLEO, Damien Redmond, DANLEO, David Mc Dermott, Dee O’ Shea, DMC, Dominic Turner,  Dorje de Burgh, EMIC, Eoin Coveney, Erin Quinn, Esther Moliné, Fergal Brennan, Fergal O’Connor, Hazel Coonagh, Hugh O’Conor, Joby Hickey, John Rooney, Jacob Stack, Jo Cummins, Jonathan Von Baumann, Killian Dunne,  Larry Dunne, Leo de Freyne, Linda Plunkett, LOKI, Louise Donnelly, Louise Kelly, Margo Banks, Mark Baker (signed by Daniel Day Lewis), Mark Redden, Martina Furlong,  Marty Cullen, Merce Canadell (ESP), Mick Minogue, Mo Kelly, Nils Westergard (USA).Paul ‘Poncho’ Byrne, Rebecca Walsh, Rinn Kaljurand, Ross Stewart, Sarah Rossney, Seamus Tuohy, Senor X (ESP), Shane Berkey, Shane McCarthy, Shane O’Driscoll, Shane Sutton,  Sinead Bailey Kelly, Siobhan O’Callaghan, Steve McCarthy, Tom Mc Lean, Wolfgang Grinschgl (AUS),  Yvette Monahan.

Launch Party: Thursday the 10th of Sept 2105 @ 7pm – 9.30pm (wine, music and art)

Viewings: 10th of Sept – 29th of August in Third Space Cafe & The Lighthouse Cinema, Smithfield, Dublin 7.Auction Night: Wednesday the 30th of September 2015 @ 6.30pm – 8.30pm.'Ode to Boogie Woogie' will be exhibited in the Lighthouse Cinema venue and available to purchase at the live auction on September 30th. All proceeds go to the children's charity, The SCOOP Foundation.For more info visit  http://artcookbook.ie/  and  http://scoopfoundation.com/

Saibhreas, Damer House Gallery, Roscrea

In a land that mourns the recent loss of material wealth, we sometimes have to stop and look at the richness that is all around us. Richness abounds in the Midlands and often it is free for us to enjoy; no money need change hands. Standing in the dusky evening as the light fades across the Slieve Blooms, monasticism ever present, castles, grand houses, burial sites, folklore, and hidden secrets beneath your feet as you walk the bogs and “the dark mutinous Shannon waves”.[i] In such moments it is difficult not to feel the rich pull of history and ancient culture and how it juxtaposes with the now, in the Midlands. Ghost estates, emigration, modern settlers, and orbital routes. Arteries pulsating with high speed traffic through the Midlands, often whirring over hidden gems.In collaboration with Damer House Gallery and at the invitation of Muireann Ní Chonaill, artists associated with the Midlands have responded to the theme of Saibhreas, which means richness and abundance in Irish. Ranging from photography, print, painting and sculpture to film and audio, each artist has been influenced by people, surroundings and the life of the Midlands.As rich as Damer is an Irish phrase which refers to the prosperity of the Damer family. Very often we do not know the origins of phrases but in this instance, we do. Damer House dates from the 1720’s and is believed to have been built for John Damer soon after he bought the town of Roscrea in 1722. Damer’s uncle, Joseph Damer, originally from Dorset, settled in Ireland in the aftermath of Charles II’s restoration in 1660 and prospered as a Dublin moneylender, to the extent that he was able to purchase estates in North Tipperary. Having no children of his own, he brought over his nephew, John, both to assist him in the business and to inherit his wealth. Damer House is unusual in that it stands in the centre of a 13^th century castle on which work commenced during the reign of King John.In this celebration of artistic creativity, the richness and abundance associated with the Midlands is acknowledged. Saibhreas will travel to the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, opening on June 18^th at 7:30pm[1] The Dead, James Joyce The artists: Aisling Conroy; Brendon Deacy; Brian Redmond; Caroline Conway; Cathy Carman; Eileen McDonagh; Eoin O’Conaill; Jerry Cahir; Jock Nichol; Ken Wardrop; Lisa Fingleton; Lorraine Walsh; Michael Boran; Niall Cahìr; Nick Miller; Nuala Hayes; Pat Fitzpatrick; Ray Murphy; Rita Duffy; Ruth Barry; Sharon Murphy; Simon Burch; Stephen Loughman; Vera McEvoy and Wendy Wright.Curator: Muireann Ní Chonaill is Arts Officer in Laois County Council and Manager of the Laois Arthouse. She is a graduate of Arts Administration from UCD and has an MA in Visual Arts, specialising in Curating from IADT. She oversees the management of the Laois Arthouse in Stradbally. Last year she curated the Sitting residency by Nick Miller in the Laois Arthouse.Thanks Laois County Council Arts Office for assistance. Special thanks to Wendy Wright for curatorial assistance in preparation of Saibhreas.For more information contact: The Arts Office, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co Laois. T: 057 8664019. E: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie. Or Damer House Gallery E: damerhousegallery@gmail.com. 

Borders: From Kathmandu to Kerry and Beyond

Radius (2015) acrylic and nylon thread on canvas; 25cm x 25cm

 Nepal Leprosy Trust (Irl) presents,  Borders: From Kathmandu to Kerry and Beyond is an International group-touring art exhibition examining the concept of borders in Nepal, a country that is completely landlocked; in comparison with Ireland, a country surrounded by water.Exhibition Dates:

• Kathmandu, Nepal -1st - 9th April 2015
• Cill Rialaig, Kerry - Sunday, 3rd May 2015
• Laois Arthouse, Stradbally, Co Laois, Thursday 11th June 2015.

Selection Box 2014, The Talbot Gallery, Dublin

Carnation (12' x 12')- acrylic and nylon thread on board

Selection Box

Group showDec 04th - Dec 20th 2014The Talbot Gallery & Studios presents it's annual Christmas Show. The show will comprise of small artworks, all within 12inch x 12inch size, being sold at the same price; 200 euro. We feel this format will offer a wonderful way for people to invest in an emergent talent, rediscover a previous favourite or to begin their own art collection. We hope this will prove a fruitful opportunity for art enthusiasts to start following and supporting artists at an affordable price, while also being able to engage with Dublin’s vibrant artistic community.Invited Artists: Aileen Murphy, Aimee Nolan, Aisling Conroy, Alison Pilkington, Angela McDonagh, Anne Hendrick, Anne Marie Webb, Blathnaid Ni Mhurchu, Bennie Reilly, Cecilia Bullo, Cecilia Danell, Ciara O'Hara, Claire McCluskey, David Lunney, Deirdre Heyden, Dorota Borowa, Emma Hogan, Emma Roche, Felicity Clear, Fionna Murray, Gerry Davis, Helen MacMahon, Ida Mitrani, Jane Fogarty, Jennifer Cunningham, Joe Stanley, Joe Scullion, Kate Murphy, Laura Angell, Lucy Sheridan, Marie Farrington, Mary A. Fitzgerald, Miriam McConnon, Sean Guinan, Selma Makela, Steven Maybury, Steven McGovern, Stephen Morris, Sinead Kennedy and Will O'Kane

Dunamaise Arts Centre

Dunamaise Arts Centre announces the opening of its

'Open Submission’ Exhibition

‘One artist to be awarded month-long residency in The Arthouse, Stradbally’

The Dunamaise Arts Centre, is delighted to announce the opening of the annual ‘Open Submission’ exhibition at the Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise, on Friday November 14^th at 8pm.

This year’s exhibition is featuring 30 pieces of art by 26 artists, carefully selected by guest curator, Geraldine O’ Reilly of Aosdána, out of some 50 submissions entered into the competition.

One selected artist will be awarded a month-long residency in The Arthouse, Stradbally, Co. Laois, kindly sponsored by Laois Arts Office. This is an opportunity for the artist to develop their work in a professional studio setting, with full residency support. The winner of this opportunity will be announced by director of Dunamaise Arts Centre, Michelle de Forge on the night.

The Open Submission has become an exciting addition to the Dunamaise Visual Arts calendar sparking immense interest from both established and emerging artists all over Ireland and also locally from County Laois.

Geraldine O’ Reilly is a visual artist and printmaker, who has had many solo and group exhibitions throughout Ireland, America, Australia, the UK and Europe. Her work is in many private and public collections and Geraldine has been commissioned to create new work for Offaly County Council and Dublin City Council. In 2004, Geraldine was elected to Aosdana for her contribution to the arts in Ireland.

She says, “This exhibition represents a wonderful snapshot of the talent and diversity of artists that are working on their craft throughout Ireland and locally here in Laois. I have chosen a selection of work that I believe showcases the best of the talent of Irish artists and I am very excited about the exhibition and the collection of works on display for the public to enjoy.  I wish everyone that entered this competition the best for their future career as artists and we thank everyone who took part and look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.”

The artists chosen to exhibit in this year’s exhibition include: Paul Bokslag, Allan Buckett, Conor Brennan, Robert Dunne, Rebecca Deegan, Aisling Conroy, Pamela de Bri, Aidan Flnagan, Conor Flynn-O’Donnell, Eileen Ferguson, Crona Gallagher, William Hamilton, Sharon Murphy, John Lalor, Lia Laimbock, Rosemarie Langtry, Paul McCormaic, Eoin Mac Lochlainn, Bernadette Madden, Sue O’ Brien, Patricia Pachova, Margaret Ray, Zita Reihill, Paul Roy, Sarah Ryan and Andrea Woodgate.

The 30 works chosen for exhibition will be of mixed media and sizes. The exhibition will run until December 19^th, 2014.  Entry is free and all members of the public are invited to visit the gallery throughout the month to enjoy this diverse exhibition.

VUE: National Contemporary Art Fair at the RHA

VUE, Ireland’s National Contemporary Art Fair takes place again this autumn at the RHA and this year for the first the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland’s annual PORTFOLIO exhibition will coincide with VUE, making this a weekend at the RHA not to be missed! Galleries participating in VUE will include Taylor Galleries, Peppercanister Gallery, Jorgensen Fine Art, Fenderesky Gallery, Oliver Sears Gallery, Graphic Studio Gallery, Hilsboro Fine Art, SO Fine Art, Molesworth Gallery, Stoney Road Press, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Green on Red, Eight Art Gallery, Cross Gallery, Solomon Fine Art, Catherine Hammond Gallery, James Wray Gallery, Olivier Cornet Gallery, Claremorris Art Gallery and Irish Arts Review

Showcasing the best of contemporary Irish craft from world-class makers with international reputations, PORTFOLIO will feature unique and innovative objects across a variety of disciplines including: furniture, ceramics, jewellery, glass, metals, paper, textiles, calligraphy, woodwork and basketry.

OPENING HOURS:

Thursday, 30 Oct: Private view, 6 – 8pm

Friday, 31 Oct: 11am – 8pm

Saturday, 1 Nov: 11am – 7pm

Sunday, 2 Nov: 12pm – 6pm

Royal Ulster Academy, Annual Exhibition 2014, Belfast

Chromatic (iv) 2013, Aisling Conroy

Royal Ulster Academy 133rd Annual Exhibition

17 October 2014 - 4 January 2015

Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5AB

Founded in 1879, the Royal Ulster Academy is the largest and longest established body of practicing visual artists in Northern Ireland. One of the founding principles of the Academy was to hold an annual exhibition of work by both members and non–members of merit. Now in its 133rd year, this event remains one of the highlights of the Northern Ireland arts calendar attracting over 70,000 visitors in 2013. Over 300 works by some of Ireland’s best known and up–and–coming artists will be on display at this year’s exhibition – a mix of painting, sculpture, ceramics, glass, photography and film.

Exhibiting artists include: Cristina Bunello, Simon Burch, Tom Climent, Aisling Conroy, David Crone RUA, Róisín de Buitlear, Paul Gaffney, Carol Graham RUA, Angela Halliday ARUA, Brendan Jamison ARUA, Oliver Jeffers, Sharon Kelly RUA, Frances Lambe, Elizabeth Magill ARUA, Niall McCormack, Simon McWilliams RUA, Hamish Moyle, Hughie O Donoghue, Nuala O Donovan, Belen Paton, Kathy Prendergast, Eddie Rafferty ARUA, Paul Seawright RUA, Dermot Seymour ARUA, Neil Shawcross RUA, Mark Shields RUA and Amelia Stein Many of the works on display will be for sale so if you are looking to buy a piece of art this is the perfect opportunity. There is a wide variety of price points to suit most budgets. With the support of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Academy is delighted to present a comprehensive events programme aimed at schools, families, art enthusiasts and the wider general public. These events, which will run throughout the exhibition, include guided exhibition tours, in conversation sessions and workshops for young and old. Admission to the exhibition and participation in all educational activities is free of charge.

Dates and Opening Hours:

Friday 17th October 2014 – Sunday 4th January 2015 Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5AB Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm (last admission 4.30pm)   The 133rd Annual Exhibition is generously sponsored by KPMG, the leading Accounting and Professional Advisory Firm.http://www.royalulsteracademy.org/annual-exhibition

Revitalize @ Sol Art Gallery, Dublin, 20th August- 6th September

 Sol Art held its second major summer exhibition, 'Revitalize' opening on the 20th of August. The exhibition includes all the galleries favourites such as Liam O'Neill, Jimmy Lawlor, Kenneth Webb and Kevin McAleenan along with three exciting new artists to the gallery, Aisling Conroy, Amanda Shirlow and Myra Jago. There was a great attendance on the opening night which included artist talks by Myra Jago and Aisling Conroy. The exhibition continues until 6th September.http://www.solart.ie/

The Magical Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig, Co. Monaghan, July 2014

Earlier this year I was awarded a bursary from Laois Arts Office for a residency at The Tyrone Guthrie Centre in July. I had another amazingly fruitful and magical time there working on a new series of paintings. Thank you to all the staff there for being so helpful and to Laois Arts Office for supporting me! 

EDWARD MURPHY:1948-2014

Genial Librarian Who Transformed Holdings at NCAD

Edward Murphy: March 27th, 1948 - May 17th, 2014

Eddie Murphy (left), with Ciaran Benson. Photograph: Matt Kavanagh                                                                                                                  

Edward Murphy, who has died aged 66, was librarian at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) until he retired last year. During his 35-year tenure he transformed the library, essentially developing it from scratch.An open, irreverent person with a mellifluous voice and a mischievous sense of humour, he was distinctly unofficious and easygoing, and his personality coloured the library he created. In recognition of this, it is now called the Edward Murphy Library.Edward, universally known as Eddie, was born in Dublin to Edward and Kathleen (née Ryan) Murphy. The family lived in Terenure. He attended Gonzaga College and then UCD. His father was a neurologist and he too initially studied medicine although he soon realised that it wasn’t for him. After a European tour in the late 1960s which seemed to take in “every museum in France, Belgium and the Netherlands”, he returned to Dublin, dropped his medical studies and switched to art history.After graduating, he spent two years in Italy, then won a studentship at the National Gallery of Ireland and studied librarianship at UCD.The lack of a proper library in the National College of Art and Design was keenly felt and, from 1972, actively addressed by the board. After a series of stopgap arrangements Murphy was eventually appointed librarian in 1978. When he took up his post the stock numbered about 600 books. Now there are something in the region of 100,000, but Murphy’s achievement was much more profound than their acquisition. Thomas Street He mapped out the library’s future development, which really began with the 1981 move to immeasurably better, bigger quarters on Thomas Street. There, under his direction, it became a valuable, living resource attuned to the evolving needs of both staff and students, making available hundreds of journals and periodicals, along with moving image material in the Visual Resources Centre.At Murphy’s urging, in 1997 NCAD, together with the Arts Council, established the National Irish Visual Arts Library (NIVAL) a resource archive of material relating to 20th century and contemporary Irish art.It is a public facility, open to anyone involved in researching any aspect of Irish art. It sprang from Murphy’s recognition that a great deal of material, much of it ephemeral, had no appropriate home and was disappearing. There was no shortage of such documentation, from flimsy exhibition price lists and catalogues to newspaper reviews and personal archives, but no institution was systematically preserving it.Once the organisation was in place and the doors were open, material poured in, apart altogether from that directly acquired. Dorothy Walker’s personal archive resides there, as will Patrick Scott’s. Robert Ballagh has pledged his papers, and so has art historian Brian Kennedy. The RHA awarded Murphy a gold medal for his work on both NIVAL and the NCAD library in 2013. Although he retired as librarian that year, he continued to work for NIVAL out of a sense of personal commitment.He is survived by his mother, Kathleen, and his sister, Ruth. He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Casey, who died earlier this year, and by his brother Denis.  The Irish Times,Sat, Jun 21, 2014,http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/genial-librarian-who-transformed-holdings-at-ncad-1.1841237

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