From sculpture to photography, late night gallery openings and installations, there’s an abundance of visual stimulation to enjoy this month …
Muscles & Mind: Irish Art Olympians, Waterford Gallery of Art
With the Olympics front of mind this month, a timely and interesting group exhibition at Waterford Gallery of Art, 31-32 O’Connell Street, explores themes of nationality, representation and art as competition. It was inspired by the revival of the modern Olympic Games by Pierre De Coubertin, who wanted the games to embody the marriage of “Art and Sport, Muscles and Mind”. The exhibition features artists from the Waterford Art Collection who competed for Ireland in the Olympic Games from 1924-48 including: Seán Keating, Mainie Jellett, Sir John Lavery, Sir William Orpen and more. Art was a competitive element of the Olympic Games from 1912-1948, with three Irish Art Olympians winning medals for Ireland (Jack B Yeats, Letitia Marion Hamilton and Oliver St John Gogarty). Contemporary artists such as Lee Welch also responded to an open call. Of the ten artworks selected, one is Lee Welch’s painting, Novak Djokovic reading the NY Times, pictured. The exhibition continues until November 26. www.waterfordgalleryofart.com
Art and Soul, The K Club, Co Kildare
If you’ve been to previous Art and Soul exhibitions at Russborough, Co Wicklow, Castlemartyr Resort, Co Cork and The Culloden Hotel, Co Antrim, you’ll know that they feature works by international artists such as Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst. The new (free) exhibition, hosted by Gormleys, is on at The K Club from August 11 – September 8, and includes over 90 large sculptures and installations set throughout the 550-acre grounds. Inside, a key feature will be the unveiling of twelve new artworks by Martin Mooney, regarded as one of Ireland’s most accomplished fine art painters. Visitors can also expect works by Giacinto Bosco, Patrick Rubinstein, Banksy, Keith Haring, and Julian Opie. The exhibition is open daily from 11am-7pm. The K Club is offering special overnight rates for the duration of the Art and Soul event, starting from €235 per room with breakfast. www.gormleys.ie; www.kclub.ie.
Looking East – Ireland & India, EPIC Museum Dublin
“Looking East explores the multifaceted history of migration between Ireland and India – the migration of both people and ideas,” explains Dr Catherine Healy, Historian in residence at EPIC. “Our exhibition not only draws on the growing body of scholarship looking at the Irish contribution to British colonialism in India, but it also traces the ways in which Irish and Indian nationalists supported and took inspiration from each other’s struggles. We are glad to be hosting this showcase as part of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries.” To further enrich this interesting exhibition, a short film has been produced capturing the experiences of some of the Indian diaspora in Ireland. The film features contributions from Leo Varadkar, novelist Cauvery Madhavan, climate activist Theresa Rose Sebastian, Satwinder Singh of Eco Sikh Ireland, and Pradeep Mahadeshwar, co-founder of Queer Asian Pride Ireland. The exhibition continues until November 30. www.epicchq.com
When the body says Yes, Irish Museum of Modern Art
“When the body says Yes” is an immersive installation by Dutch artist Melanie Bonajo, a queer non-binary Dutch artist, filmmaker, somatic sex coach and educator. The video installation, originally commissioned by the Mondriaan Fund for the Biennale Arte 2022, is part of the artist’s ongoing research into the current status of intimacy in our increasingly alienating, commodity-driven world. For Bonajo, touch can be a remedy for the modern epidemic of loneliness. Through videos, performances, photographs and installations, Bonajo examines and addresses themes of eroding intimacy and isolation in an increasingly sterile, technological world. www.imma.ie
Contemporary African Photography, Photo Museum Ireland, Dublin 1
For those interested in contemporary photography, the Photo Museum Ireland has an exhibition which shows the winners of the Contemporary African Photography Prize 2024 in Gallery 1. This prize has been awarded annually since 2012 to five photographers whose works were created on the African continent, or which engage with the African diaspora. The aim is to encourage a rethinking of the image of Africa. Since its inauguration by Benjamin Füglister the number of artists’ submissions has grown to over 1,000 annually, coming from over 88 countries worldwide. The winning artists were Lina Geoushy, Ahmed Khirelsid, Tshepiso Moropa, Kriss Munsya, Farren Van Wyk. The exhibition runs until August 24. www.photomuseumireland.ie
After Hours, Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin 1
“After Hours” is a new series of evening events in The Hugh Lane Gallery every Thursday evening, during which the gallery will remain open until 8.30pm. This gives visitors a chance to linger for longer and enjoy the new exhibitions including Francis Bacon’s Studio, the Sean Scully Room and Sarah Purser exhibition: More Power To You. Fáilte le Grá Café will be open late too serving up delicious treats and drinks downstairs. Highlights of the programme include a life drawing class on August 15 with Geraldine Carton from 6.45pm, which encourages women to embrace their creativity and imperfections, and appreciate womanhood in all its unruly glory. Tickets €20 include one drink via Eventbrite here. There’s also a free guided tour of the Sarah Purser exhibitions. DJs Francois Pittion and Mick Heaney will play from 6pm to 8.30pm – expect chilled vibes with a vinyl set. On August 22, there’s a fun Art Quiz, from 6pm-7.30pm and on August 29, singer songwriter Molly O’Mahony is leading an acoustic session in the cafe. For these events and others on the programme visit; www.hughlane.ie.
Molly O’Mahony is leading an acoustic session in the Hugh Lane Galley café.
And…
This Saturday, August 10, the National Gallery of Ireland is celebrating a milestone 170 years since an act was signed establishing a National Gallery of Paintings, Sculpture and the Fine Arts. To mark the occasion the Gallery is hosting a series of tours which show its history and evolution (on from 11.30am-12.30pm, 1pm-2pm and 2.30pm-3.30pm). Pick up the special anniversary issue of the magazine from the shop which is filled with detailed features on the collections and current exhibitions. www.nationalgallery.ie
