Press release
OPW welcomes the Annual Cross Border Touring Art Exhibition - ‘Connections’
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Published on
Last updated on
The Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with the Department of Finance (DoF), Northern Ireland is delighted to announce the official launch of ‘Connections’. This exhibition is the latest in the cross border series of contemporary art exhibitions, first opening at the historic Farmleigh Art Gallery in Dublin in November 2024 and subsequently touring at Luan Gallery, Athlone, the Down Arts Centre, County Down and the Braid Museum in Ballymena this year.
Since the late 1990s, the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Department of Finance, Northern Ireland (DoF) have worked in partnership organising an annual touring art exhibition which showcases artworks from the two public-owned collections in venues across the island under changing themes.
Welcoming the arrival of the exhibition, Kevin Moran, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works said:
“I am delighted to be here to welcome this new and exciting touring exhibition which allows visitors to access artworks from these two public-owned collections on display in local public buildings. The collaboration on this cultural project has been running for over 20 years, strengthening links between our two government departments. This gives local people an opportunity to view artworks, which are normally installed in public buildings in Belfast, Dublin or elsewhere in the country, locally in an exhibition context.”
This year’s exhibition explores the theme of connections – the ways in which artworks relate to each other linking and joining ideas and themes. This exhibition illustrates work in painting, photographs, prints and sculpture. The exhibition features over 60 artworks by a range of artists.
John O’Dowd MLA, Finance Minister, NI Executive said:
“Art can be a powerful way to connect people and inspire creativity which is aptly reflected in the theme of this year’s exhibition. My department has been working with the Office of Public Works since 1997 organising exhibitions which have toured extensively throughout Ireland. These collaborations have celebrated and showcased the talent of local artists and allowed many people, who might otherwise not have had the opportunity, to enjoy their works. I wish this year’s exhibition every success.”
The cultural project gives artists a platform to showcase their creativity. The artworks in each exhibition are a wonderful example of the talent and creativity, alive in the visual arts today. There is a wide range of artwork media and styles from emerging and established artists.
Photography will be circulated to the media after the event. For more information and photographs, please contact the OPW press office at pressoffice@opw.ie
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Department of Finance, Northern Ireland (DoF) have collaborated on organising art exhibitions since the late 1990s. These exhibitions involve touring artworks from both public owned collections to venues throughout the island.
In recent years, the exhibitions have opened up into broader partnerships with other cultural organisations that have led to the artworks in both collections being viewed by audiences in a wide variety of locations – arts centres, libraries, colleges, heritage properties and other buildings, which are open to the public.
Featured artists include: Neisha Allen, Elisabeth Banim, Alicia Boyle, Sara Brown, Cecilia Bullo, Ursula Burke, Sam Byrne, Maud Cotter, Erin Cummins, Samuel Laurence Cunnane, Gerry Davis, Rita Duffy, Cara Dunne, Esko, Martin Gale, Cara Gribben, Noel Hensey, Diane Henshaw, Carol Hodder, Dee Hurley, Myra Jago, Desmond Kenny, Neil Kerr, Roisin Lambert, Melanie le Brocquy, Cristín Leach, Alison Lowry, Eva Lynch, Alan Magee, Ciaran Magill, Mervyn Marshall, Trevor McElnea, Valerie Giannandrea McKeag, Cian McLoughlin, Josie McMorrin, Grace McMurray, Tadhg McSweeney, Simon McWilliams, Andrew Nally, Peter Neill, Sorche Ní Ríain, Veronica Nicholson, David Otruba, Jack Pakenham, Michael Power, Jane Prendergast, Selena Quilligan, Gail Ritchie, Stuart A. Robinson, Katherine Sankey, Matthew Smyth, Elizabeth Taggart, Lucy Turner, Peter B. Waddell, Samuel Walsh, Minghui Wang, Catherine Ward, Dianne Whyte, Lena Willryd, Alice Wyatt