Luan Gallery will present the work of two renowned Irish artists, Marie Hanlon and Bernadette Kiely, for the months of February and March.
'Water Table' by Marie Hanlon will feature in the new gallery, while 'So Much Water [so] Close to Home' by Bernadette Kiely will be shown in the library and River Gallery spaces.
Dublin based Marie Hanlon uses water as a catalyst throughout her upcoming exhibition. Utilising a mixture of sculptural elements, Marie will create an art installation that addresses the notion of water as both a precious resource and an environmental threat.
Against this installation based work will hang the paintings and drawings of Kilkenny based artist Bernadette Kiely. To date, Kiely’s work has consisted of painting and drawing underpinned by photography. Utilising oil paint and charcoal and water on canvas, her work reflects her observations of flooding on the river Nore where she lives, and aims to draw attention to the instability created by flooding in Ireland and throughout the wider world.
Manager of Luan Gallery, Carmel Duffy said: “We are proud to present the work of Aosdána members, Marie Hanlon and Bernadette Kiely, at Luan Gallery this spring. The gallery’s waterside location on the banks of the largest river in Ireland, combined with a growing public awareness of the impacts of and efforts to combat climate change, make this an appropriate subject for deliberation at this time.
"The combination of these two artists’ contrasting works addressing the nature of water as both a resource and a threat to the natural environment will create a diverse viewing experience and opportunities for discussion and debate, not only for the gallery’s spring audience but for those living in flood affected areas throughout Ireland and beyond.”
The exhibition will officially launch on Saturday, February 3, at 3pm with a wine reception and an address by the Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, and the Director of the Trinity College Irish Art Research Centre, Dr Yvonne Scott. The exhibition will continue until March 25.
