The University of Liverpool’s Institute of Irish Studies is hosting an exhibition dedicated to showcasing the talent of recent female graduate artists from Northern Ireland.
The exhibition, ‘Visions of the Future: Young Women Artists of Northern Ireland’ will take place at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith, London and on display between Thursday 1st February and Friday 29th March.
With the Good Friday Agreement signed more than 25 years ago, this exhibition showcases the voices of a new generation of women in Northern Ireland who have grown up in a post conflict society recovering after decades of violence.
The exhibition is curated by the ArtisAnn Gallery from Belfast, which has an established reputation for supporting emerging artists and recent graduates.
The University of Liverpool’s Irish Institute is a recognised world leader in the study of Irish history and culture. The Institute has developed a strong track record of delivering arts projects which seek to showcase and highlight the Irish and Northern Irish connections across the UK and Europe, providing a platform for Irish and Northern Irish artists to promote their work.
Professor Pete Shirlow, Director of the Institute of Irish Studies, said: “The Institute challenges invisibility of communities and groups which is why, given that around 80 per cent of galleries host more male than female artists even though as many women as men are involved in the production of art, we are hosting an exhibition focussed on female artists.
“It is much appreciated to have funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ulster University and the support of Irish Cultural Centre, especially as they share our vision of inclusivity and the need to provide a space that redresses the reality of insufficient support for the careers of female artists who should no longer be working on the margins.”
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Dr Ann McVeigh, co-owner of the ArtisAnn Gallery, said: “We believe in offering encouragement to young and emerging artists and are confident that these are stars of the future. The artwork produced by these newcomers is remarkable both for its technical ability and in its breadth of new ideas. This very varied show has two common linkages: all are recent graduates, and all are of the highest quality, with every indication that they will be ‘names’ of the future.”
The Irish Ambassador to the UK, Martin Fraser, commented: “On behalf of the Irish Government, I am delighted to be supporting this exciting exhibition of fresh Irish talent at the Irish Cultural Centre in London. Ireland’s reputation as a cultural treasure house is well known throughout the world and the artists shown here are not only a wonderful reflection of this but are continuing to enhance that worldwide reputation. It is a great pleasure to see these young women artists from Northern Ireland having a wider stage in which to showcase the important role they play in reflecting their society as well as upholding Ireland’s great tradition as a cultural hub.”
Cian Smyth, Ulster Presents programme manager at Ulster University, said: “It is always exciting for us to find new ways to support artists who have graduated from our Belfast School of Art, and to do this in partnership with local independent art galleries and other Universities on these islands is a vital way for us to continue supporting our artists in a career beyond their studies. We very much look forward to working with the University of Liverpool in introducing the great work by some of our exemplary female artists to their audiences.”
The project has been supported by the Government of Ireland Strategic Diaspora Development Fund and Ulster University.
The exhibition is displayed at the Irish Cultural Centre, 5 Black’s Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9DT. It is free to view from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday from 1st February to 29 March.