13/12/2011
An exhibition showcasing work from some of Northern Ireland’s finest emerging and established artists at Parliament Buildings has been extended until Wednesday 4th January 2012.
Contemporary Art in Northern Ireland, an exhibition of the Arts Council’s purchases of art within the last decade was officially opened in The Great Hall on 21st November by the Arts Council and William Hay, MLA, Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The exhibition, which has already received 4,500 visitors, was originally set to end its run on 2nd December. Due to popular demand, eighteen art works, from the original twenty four piece exhibition will be displayed into the New Year.
Dr Suzanne Lyle, Head of Visual Arts, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said, “The exhibition is receiving a very positive response from the artists involved, arts community, MLAs and visitors to Parliament Buildings. This is the first time that an exhibition from the Arts Council’s Collection has been displayed in Parliament Buildings, and we are thrilled to provide an opportunity for audiences to see it for an additional four weeks.”
“Anyone visiting the exhibition over the festive period will see the extraordinary quality and range of work from Northern Ireland’s visual artists, which goes far beyond what might be expected of a small region and something to be immensely proud of. This exhibition celebrates the vibrancy of our artists in recent times and I would encourage everyone to visit it while they can.”
William Hay, MLA, Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, said: “We are delighted that this exhibition has been so popular and that it has enhanced the experience of those who visit the Assembly.
“I have been committed to opening up Parliament Buildings to the people of Northern Ireland and I believe it is fitting that celebrating local creative talent from well established collections is part of that initiative.”
Jennifer Trouton, “Harrow”
Gareth Reid, “Interior”
Brendan Jamison, “Yellow Helicopter”
Simon McWilliams, “Stairwell”
Christopher McCambridge, “Re-interpretation: Falling for Grandeur”
Robert Peters, “Uccello of the Potato Field I” and “Uccello of the Potato Field II”
Colin Darke, “Mannish Boy V- Policeman”
Mark Francis, “Untitled”
Terry McAllister, “Wood at Mostinica Gorge, Slovenia”
Shaleen Temple, “Jerita 2010”
Maria McKinney, “The Earl of Leicester”
Gail Ritchie, “Dead Tree”
Carrie McKee, “Orlaigh 2011”
Louise Wallace, “The Bathers”
Holly Anderson, “Untitled 1”
Mark Shields, “Who Is My Beloved”
Miguel Martin, “Neil Shawcross’s Studio Space”
William McKeown “Forever Painting”
The exhibition is fully accessible to the public. Parliament Buildings is open between 9.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday. Free public tours of Parliament Buildings are now available. Over the Christmas period, Parliament Buildings will not be open on to the public on 26th, 27th and 28th December and 2nd January. For more information log on to http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/visiting.htm.
