The Northern Ireland Collection: Fresh Perspectives
Wolverhampton Art Gallery
15 November 2008 - 15 November 2009


Route III, silver gelatin print, toners, gouache, 129cms x 189cms, 1985

2008 marks a decade since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. After 30 years of bloody violence, this milestone covenant gave Northern Ireland’s divided society fresh hope for a peaceful future.

This exhibition considers the role of visual artists in presenting Northern Ireland’s contested past and future. Highlights and previously unseen works from Wolverhampton’s Northern Ireland Collection are shown alongside borrowed exhibits that offer fresh perspectives on the history of the conflict and its resolution.

Recent grant aid provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Collecting Culture scheme has enabled the Gallery to expand the remit of the collection with work relating to the theme ‘Peace and Reconciliation’.

New from May 2009

Look out for a set of works by Irish sculptor F. E. McWilliam, Irish visual artist Victor Sloan, and British artist Richard Hamilton. These artists offer fresh perspectives on the period of conflict from the 1970s through to the 1980s.

Shop

A full catalogue of works from Wolverhampton's Northern Ireland Collection is available at £7.95 (usual price £12.95).

A special education package is now available, priced £9.99.

Wolverhampton Art Gallery
Lichfield Street
Wolverhampton
West Midlands
WV1 1DU

Telephone: 019 0255 2055
Email: info@wolverhamptonart.org.uk
Web: www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk

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Victor Sloan’s works are exhibited in the RHA Exhibition in Dublin

Royal Hibernian Academy Exhibition
Gallagher Gallery, Dublin
26 May – 25 July, 2009

From Luxus Series © Victor Sloan

The 179th RHA Annual Exhibition, where over half of the work is selected from open submission, provides an unparalleled opportunity to view Ireland’s established and most promising emerging artists.

Following last year’s record-breaking attendance figures, we are extending the run of this exhibition for an extra four weeks this year. A high point of Ireland’s cultural calendar, this exhibition runs from 26 May – 25 July.

The exhibition will show recent work by Academicians, invited artists and emerging artists in the disciplines of painting, print, photography, sculpture, drawing and architecture. The majority of the work is for sale and has proven to be a great opportunity for both first time and experienced buyers alike.

A prize-fund is awarded to a variety of disciplines from painting, sculpture and drawing to photography and attracts a wide variety of both international and Irish artists.

Admission is free and the exhibition is supported by a full colour catalogue costing €20 available at reception.

For more information please contact Rebecca Gale, RHA Marketing at 01 6612558 ext 111 or email info@rhagallery.ie.

Royal Hibernian Academy
15 Ely Place, Dublin 2
Tel: 353 1 661 2558
Fax: 353 1 661 0762
Email: info@rhagallery.ie
Web: www.royalhibernianacademy.com

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Victor Sloan’s work is included in the Troubles Archive exhibition at the Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast.

Arts Council of Northern Ireland Troubles Archive Exhibition Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast
Thursday 18th June - Saturday 25th July 2009


Market Street, Derry © Victor Sloan, silver gelatin print, toners and watercolours, 120cms x 193cms, 1989

The ACNI Troubles Archive Exhibition is presented to accompany the launch of the Northern Ireland Troubles Archive, a new web-based resource that documents how the Arts responded to and reflected the troubles from 1968 to 1998.

The exhibition at Ormeau Baths Gallery offers the public an opportunity to see how arts practices are now being documented and providing an insight of how the news was mediated by BBC NI during the period.

A selection of art works engaging with social and political issues selected from The Arts Council’s collection will include a range of works from less well known works by George Campbell and Padraig Timoney to the more familiar images of Rita Duffy and Victor Sloan and together with work by some invited artists such as Paul Seawright and Philip Napier will provide an historical context to the Archive.

The exhibition will also include Una Walker’s Surveiller, an installation work which gives graphic expression and archival access to the range and frequency of visual art exhibitions held in Belfast from 1968-2001, essentially the period of the Troubles.

The Northern Ireland Troubles Archive is a new web-based resource about the way the Arts responded to and reflected the Troubles in Northern Ireland from 1968 to 1998. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) has created a broad and inclusive store of information about relevant art forms, practitioners and their work across a variety of disciplines; including visual art, literature, drama, film, radio and television, music, prison and community arts and architecture.

The Troubles Archive aims to reflect the diversity of this significant period in Northern Irish history and how it was manifested culturally. Exhibition Tours will be commencing on Saturday 20th June, 4th July and 18th July at 2pm free admission no booking required.

For a truly enriching experience of what the Archives are all about the gallery will also be holding workshops and tours to provide the opportunity of exploring the many artistic interpretations which artists have used to express the troubles over the last thirty years. Contact Ciara on chickey@ormeaubaths.co.uk for enquiries and booking.

Theatre Workshop
Tuesday 30th June - Saturday 4th July 10am - 5pm, GBP 10 for the week suitable for 17-19 year olds. Limited Availability.
During the week participants will be working with local practitioners on four profound plays, Patrick Galvin's We Do It For Love, Ron Hutchinson's Rat in the Skull, Frank McGuinness' Carthaginians and Gary Mitchell's As The Beast Sleeps. These plays reflect the times of the Troubles in the 70's and 90's and their effect on the community around it.
On Saturday 4th July at 7pm there will be a free performance of the final pieces from the chosen extracts of the plays the participants will be working on.

Painting Morning
Thursday 2nd July 11am - 1pm GBP 5, canvases and paints will be provided. This is a beginners class or for those who wish to improve on their technique as well as a discussion of the many paintings within the exhibition and exploring the artists' painting techniques.

Words and Music Evening Tour
Tuesday 23rd June 8pm, GBP 5. Limited Availability 25 places
A unique tour around the gallery guided by a series of performances from Poets Michael Longley, Traditional singer Len Graham, Art Historian Amanda Croft, Poet Leontia Flynn and music from the Winding Stair.

For more information visit www.ormeaubaths.co.uk

Ormeau Baths Gallery
18a Ormeau Avenue
Belfast
BT2 8HS

Tel: +44 (0)28 9032 1402
Fax: +44 (0)28 9031 2232
mail@ormeaubaths.co.uk