Two Aosdána members will feature prominently in the this years summer arts programme at Oughterard’s Old Courthouse exhibition space.
Portrait artist Brian Bourke, and printmaker and painter Margaret ‘Mo’ Irwin West are members of Aosdána, a prestigious affiliation of top Irish artists elected by their peers.
The Oughterard Courthouse Arts Programme (OCAP ) will stage four exceptional exhibitions from June to August in the Oughterard Courthouse Gallery.
The season kicks off on Friday, June 12, with the annual exhibition by uachtarARTS Community Arts Group, titled Ár dTeanga, Ár nDuchas (Our language, Our heritage ).
Through a variety of artistic practices, the exhibition explores how language connects us to ourselves, to each other, and to our shared histories.
“Here language becomes more than words: it is a vessel of memory, a marker of identity, and a space for connection,” is the curatorial description. It finishes on Sunday, June 28.
Fold is the title of the second exhibition which brings together the creative West family, featuring work by Aosdána member Mo, with Katharine West, Richard West and Manon West.
This exhibition promises a rich and varied showcase of printmaking, painting, ceramics and woodturning. All based in Connemara, the family’s collective body of work reflects both shared heritage and individual artistic voices. The exhibition will be open from Friday, July 3, until Sunday July 12.
The third exhibition is Tuáth, a group show by Natalie Folan, Donal Kelly and Madeleine Shinnick. These highly talented artists will each bring a unique interpretation of nature, heritage and belonging, to this thought-provoking exhibition featuring painting, photography and sculpture.
Tuáth will run from July 17, until July 26.
The final show of the OCAP this summer will be a stellar display by Brian Bourke and Jay Murphy. Tales From Two Studios will show drawings by honorary member of the Royal Hibernian Academy, and Aosdána member, Brian Bourke, and paintings by his partner and highly regarded artist Jay Murphy.
It runs from Friday, July 31, until August 9.
Oughterard Courthouse is open 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 5pm on Sundays.
Admission free.
