Last section of controversial artwork to go on display in Athlone
A new exhibition which begins at Athlone’s Luan Gallery this evening (Thursday) will include the final instalment of Shane Cullen’s controversial artwork based on messages written by Republican hunger strikers.
The fourth section of Mr Cullen’s 'Fragmens Sur Les Institutions Républicaines IV’ will go on display as part of the new exhibition.
Local councillor Mark Cooney sought the removal of the installation earlier this year, saying it was “offensive to so many people.”
The new exhibition will be officially launched at 6pm tomorrow and will feature 'I Hear A New World’ - a selection of contemporary Irish paintings and “visual music by Irish and international artists, composers and designers.”
'I Hear A New World’ showcases work from Jane Cassidy, Pauric Freeman, Anthony Wigglesworth and many others who are graduates of MPhil in Music and Media Technologies at Trinity College, Dublin.
This programme of study provides exposure to a broad spectrum of music technology related subjects ranging from computer music and new media through to audio engineering and production.
Meanwhile, the gallery will also host the works of Bray based artist Sinéad Ní Mhaonaigh. Ms Ní Mhaonaigh works as a reporter for TG4’s bilingual arts programme, Imeall.
Her abstract works of oil on canvas paintings are, according to art critic Aidan Dunne, “poised between austerity and luxuriance.”
Emilia Krysztofiak, Arts Administrator at Luan Gallery said: “It is great to see Luan Gallery promoting such a variety of artwork and bringing the best new talent in contemporary electroacoustic composition.
“I definitely don’t recall seeing a show like 'I Hear A New World’ previously anywhere in the Midlands. A programme of this standard puts us among the finest international art institutions such as the Reykjavik Centre for Visual Music, the Museum Of Contemporary Art and the Centre for Visual Music in LA!”
Westmeath-based writer and documentary-maker Manchán Magan will launch Sinéad Ní Mhaonaigh’s show tomorrow, while Mike Glennon, curator of 'I Hear A New World’, will introduce this part of the exhibition.