26/06/2009
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness opens the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s conference, Art & Conflict, which examined the ways in which artists respond to and represent societies in conflict. He is pictured with Rosemary Kelly OBE, Chairman of Arts Council of Northern Ireland and keynote speaker Justice Albie Sachs.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness provided the opening address to delegates at The Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s conference today.
The Arts & Conflict conference, which took place in Belfast’s Grand Opera House, featured a prestigious line up of local and international speakers, and examined the ways in which artists respond to and represent societies in conflict.
Renowned civil rights activist Justice Albie Sachs and architect Vanessa September provided a thought provoking insight into the importance of the arts in peace-building and the formation of the Constitutional Court in South Africa. Acclaimed war photographer Jenny Matthews also shared some of her experiences from her global expeditions. The conference was chaired by distinguished writer and broadcaster Fergal Keane.
Other speakers included Newry-born artist Sean Hillen, creator of the Omagh memorial sculpture ‘Garden of Light’, and Zoe Lippett, Curator of the Northern Ireland Collection, Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Belfast poet Michael Longley, winner of the Queen’s Medal for Poetry, also spoke in detail about his literary works in conversation with writer Glenn Patterson.
Arts Council Chairman Rosemary Kelly OBE commented: “The conference has provided a wonderful platform to examine the increasing reach and importance of the arts in the process of healing and supporting societies in transformation. We are delighted to have been able to welcome such respected figures as Justice Albie Sachs and Jenny Matthews to the stage today to talk about the art which was produced against the backdrop of the Troubles, as well as in a global context.”
To listen to highlights of this year's conference visit (This links to an external website)
http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/article.aspx?art_id=2692
