15 Feb 2006

Prestigious Exhibition for UCC's Lewis Glucksman Gallery

Ireland at Venice - an exhibition marking Ireland's participation at the 51st Venice Biennale will open at the UCC Glucksman Gallery on Thursday, 16 February.  The official opening will be performed by John O'Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.  The opening will be preceded by a panel discussion at 4pm on Irish visual arts representation in an international context in the River Room, Lewis Glucksman Gallery chaired by Mick Wilson, NCAD with Val Connor, Annie Fletcher, Sarah Glennie and Daniel Jewesbury.  

The Venice Biennale was founded in 1895 and is probably the most important international exhibition of contemporary art. For the first time in the history of Ireland's participation at Venice, the artists selected for exhibition have the opportunity to present their work in an Irish context.  Commissioner Sarah Glennie invited six artistic practices to represent Ireland at the 51st Biennale: Stephen Brandes, Mark Garry, Ronan McCrea, Isabel Nolan, Sarah Pierce and the collaborative artists Walker and Walker. These artists have reworked the site specific nature of their Venice installations at the Scuola di San Pasquale for the Glucksman Gallery.
 
The Glucksman Gallery will also be presented with an award by the UK Civic Trust on 16 February. The Civic Trust Awards are the largest and most comprehensive environmental design awards scheme in Europe. The scheme has been established for 45 years, during which time it has become highly respected for recognising architecture and environmental design that makes an exceptional contribution to our built environment. The Civic Trust Awards are unique in that they do not simply award good design, but also take into account the way in which schemes relate to their settings and to the people that they serve.

According to Fiona Kearney, Director, Glucksman Gallery "It is a great honour for the Glucksman to present this exhibition."  "The seven artists represent an active contemporary art community that has made significant contributions to the Irish art scene over the past ten years."  She also referred to the UK Civic Trust Award and paid tribute to everyone involved.  "It is an honour for the Glucksman to be acknowledged by the UK Civic Trust and this award demonstrates yet again the international significance of the architecture of the gallery".

Ireland at Venice will run from 17 February-30 April 2006 and, as always, members of the public are invited to view the exhibition. A full colour catalogue accompanies this exhibition with contributions by Sarah Glennie, Caoimhin MacGiolla Léith, Declan Long, Francis McKee and Mick Wilson.

187MMcS