‘Work’ goes on at Ormeau Baths Gallery  

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland today (16th November) launched a challenging and politically-charged exhibition of international art at the Ormeau Baths Gallery in Belfast. ‘Work [w3:k]’ is a topical exhibition by more than 20 artists from around the world whose art captures the massive changes to our working lives over the last four decades.

Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland studies the changing face of work by Kirsten Justesen, called ‘The Class Struggle / Klassekampen’, (1976), an installation in the international WORK exhibition running Nov 17 – Dec 22, funded by the Council, supported by AGTWU and on display at the Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast.

Speaking at Thursday’s opening, Iain Davidson, Visual Arts Officer at the Arts Council, said, “The ‘Work [w3:k]’ exhibition comes hard on the heels of two of the most highly acclaimed and popular exhibitions at the Ormeau Baths Gallery, namely Magnum Ireland photographs and the prestigious Royal Ulster Academy annual exhibition. Expectations will be high for the third major exhibition in the gallery’s current programme. ‘Work [w3:k]’ is undeniably thought-provoking and challenging, and we are confident it will appeal to a wide audience and bring new people to the gallery, because it tackles, head-on, a subject that is relevant to everyone living and working in Northern Ireland.”

Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and John Coffey, Arts & Cultural Organiser, AGTWU, get up close to an installation by Robert Adrian X, called ‘24 Jobs’, (1979), part of a new international exhibition called WORK, funded by the Arts Council, supported by AGTWU and showing at the Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast from Nov 17th to Dec 22nd, admission Free.

In ‘Work [w3:k]’, contemporary visual artists explore topical issues such as globalization, strikes, the sex trade and the outsourcing of industry to ‘low wage’ countries, as well as new forms of work such as tele-working.

Two of the exhibition’s main themes - women’s work and economic migration - are particularly relevant, with women making up 45 percent of the UK workforce and over 30,000 migrant workers currently contributing to the Northern Ireland economy.

Also speaking at the opening, Mick O’Reilly, Regional Secretary of the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union, said, “I think the arts have a huge role to play in bringing workers and communities together, and finding common cause on social change. All civilization comes from work, so those who work should learn the power of ideas, the power of art and culture, the value of an examined life. And if you do that you will have a more enlightened society.”

‘Work [w3:k]’ is presented by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in collaboration with Galerie im Taxispalais, Innsbruck, Austria and the ATGWU Cultural Arts Committee.

A panel discussion with the exhibition curators and participating artists will take place at the gallery on Friday 17 th November, 12.30pm – 2.00pm. Contact the gallery for details, Tel: 028 90 321402.

‘Work [w3:k]’ is open to the public from Friday 17 th November to Friday 22 nd December at the Ormeau Baths Gallery, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast. The gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5.30pm and admission is free. Contact the gallery on Tel: 028 90 321402.

Click HERE to visit the Ormeau Baths Gallery website