www.communityvoice.ie - Art news from Dublin 15

East meets west

Since Draíocht first opened its illustrious doors nearly seven years ago, there can have been no more prestigious exhibition of modern Irish art than that which is currently gracing the Ground Floor Gallery at that venue. Connemara Hills

This unmissable selection of paintings from the Model and Niland Collection, Sligo, showcases exceptional works by some of Ireland’s most renowned and influential artists including household names such as Jack B. Yeats, Paul Henry, Norah McGuinness, Gerard Dillon and Patrick Collins. The works which explore the favourite themes of the landscape, inhabitants and traditions of Ireland, reflect the broader development of Irish art in the 20th century through the contexts of national identity, international art influences and World War Two.

The Niland Gallery is called after one of Sligo's most dedicated and hard working citizens-Nora Niland.

In the 1950s, Nora was instrumental in establishing the Sligo Municipal Art Collection, which today bears her name. As county librarian Nora spotted the importance of the connection between Sligo and the Yeats family. Soon she hit upon the idea of borrowing five works by Jack B. Yeats, to exhibit for the duration of the first Yeats Summer School. These works consisted of three large oil paintings, Communicating with Prisoners, The Funeral of Harry Boland, and The Island Funeral, along with two smaller watercolours, Market Day, and The Star Gazer.

Over the course of the exhibition, Niland came to believe that these paintings would make a great permanent addition to the cultural hub of Sligo, and set about raising the £3,000 needed to purchase them. Although it took her two years, Niland's dogged determination ensured that the paintings remained in Sligo and formed the nucleus of what has now become the Niland Collection.

Nowadays the Model and Niland Collection consists of over 300 works, drawings and prints by some of the leading 20th century Irish artists such as Paul Henry, Sean Keating, Louis le Brocquy, Mainie Jellett, Barrie Cooke and Dorothy Cross. The collection is significant for its sizeable number of works by Jack B. Yeats many of which record experiences and memories of his time living in Sligo and its environs.

Three of Yeats’ oils are on display in this selection appearing at Draíocht. Yeats was raised in Sligo and was always ready to admit the deep influence the people and the landscape of the county had on his work, once commenting that he never created a painting “without at least a thought of Sligo in it.” Mary Swanzy by herself

“The west of Ireland has always had a strong role in the tradition of Irish landscape painting and so the collection has been able to mirror this relationship,” says Emer McGarry of the Model and Niland Gallery. “Another Sligo artist whose work features prominently in the Niland Collection is Patrick Collins. Born in Dromore West, Co. Sligo in 1911, Collins is widely regarded as one of the finest Irish landscape painters of the twentieth century. His works are representative of a trend in Irish painting that expressed a romantic view of an Ireland which existed more in the poetic imagination than in reality.”

As the collection grew, artists with links to the west became a special focus and a number of Paul Henry’s works were added. Henry was a native of Belfast but spent ten years living on Achill Island off the Mayo coast. Henry’s works on view here are inspired by the rugged landscape of the west coast. Another artist who spent a lot of time in the west was Gerard Dillon and although his work is more abstract that Henry’s, he too was inspired by the western landscape.

Female artists also feature prominently in the collection. Among them are Norah McGuinness and Mary Swanzy both of whom, through their involvement in the Modern movement in Ireland broke new ground in artistic endeavour during the twentieth century.

Today the art collection numbers 250 works by mostly Irish artists, including Michael Farrell.

“This selection is exclusive to Draíocht and will not be shown in any other venues this year, although other shows from the collection will be touring to four or five other venues in 2008,” says Emer. “The collection is not a showcase of Irish Art although it is centred around the work of Jack B Yeats - any Sligo or west of Ireland artists in the collection are of national and international significance.”

Workshops

To tie in with the exhibition of this remarkable exhibition of paintings, Draíocht have organised a series of workshops for both primary and secondary school students. The workshops will take place during the third week in February.

“The Model and Niland Collection Exhibition features the Irish landscape and the different ways that Irish painters have chosen to represent it; whether by focusing on mood, colour, light, weather or, as in the case of Jack B Yeats, by employing new techniques for applying paint to the canvas,” says Anne O’Gorman, Children and Youth Arts officer at Draíocht. “The workshop will focus on trying these techniques our for ourselves. These workshops will reference the art curriculum where possible.”

And in one of Draiocht’s highly popular Family Days, participants will explore the work of some of Ireland's famous landscape painters, including Jack B. Yeats and Paul Henry, who are featured in the collection. The event is suitable for children aged 5 to 10 years and old clothes are highly recommended as participants will be demonstrating that Irish landscape painting is not restricted to West of Ireland artists. As with all family days, there is no booking necessary for this free event, but adults are reminded that the age recommendations should be adhered to.

A selection from the Model and Niland Collection, Sligo is currently appearing at Draiocht’s Ground Floor Gallery until March 1st.

Admission is free.

Community Voice, Media House, Church Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
Phone +353 1 822 1432 - Fax +353 1 640 4444
info@communityvoice.ie