23/11/2011
An exhibition showcasing work from some of Northern Ireland’s finest emerging and established artists was unveiled this week at Parliament Buildings at a special reception hosted by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and William Hay, MLA, Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Contemporary Art in Northern Ireland, an exhibition of the Arts Council’s purchases of art within the last decade, will be on display in The Great Hall from Monday 21st November until Friday 2nd December. This is the first time that an exhibition from the Arts Council’s Collection has been displayed in Parliament Buildings, open to the public and to Northern Ireland’s decision makers.
Dr Suzanne Lyle, Head of Visual Arts, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said, “One of the signs of the health and vibrancy of Northern Ireland’s arts in recent times has been the nurturing of highly gifted artists whose work is celebrated around the world. The invitation from the Speaker to bring this exhibition to Parliament Buildings is an important opportunity to champion our artists. The value they add to our society and economy is significant, particularly as they are part of the lifeblood of our creative industries, one of our main sources of competitive strength, wealth and job creation.
Indeed, business leaders will cite the strength of a society’s arts and culture as a key factor influencing any decision to invest, so we are delighted to have so many of our politicians here supporting the exhibition launch. Anyone visiting the exhibition over the next few weeks 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.”
William Hay, MLA, Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, said: “We are delighted to host this exhibition which we know will add a great deal to the experience of all those who come and visit the Assembly.
The talent of Northern Ireland’s visual artists is very evident in this collection and it is only right that it should be celebrated in Parliament Buildings.”
Contemporary Art in Northern Ireland, is a 24-piece exhibition encompassing paintings, craft, sculpture, print and photography. It includes work from younger up-and-coming Northern Irish artists alongside several artists who have already carved international reputations for themselves.
Exhibition includes:
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”
Zoe Murdoch, “Oh Muse Be Near Me Now and Make a Strange Song”
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 I”
Mark Shields, “Who is My Beloved”
Miguel Martin, “Neil Shawcross’s Studio Space”
William McKeown, “Forever Painting”
Michael McCrory, “Silver Teapot with Lava Knob” and “Silver Teapot with Long Handle”
Eddie Doherty, “Rings”
Cara Murphy, “Growing Reflections”
Pauline Short, “A Thorny Issue”
Shane Porter, “Vessel”
