‘Out of the Dark Room’ is drawn from a major collection brought together by the Irish-born American collector David Kronn. The collection ranges from 19th-century daguerreotypes to 20th-century photography. Iconic works include Herb Ritts’s image of pop star Madonna from 1986; the portrait of Laurie Anderson by Robert Mapplethorpe from 1987; and Dr Harold Edgerton’s 1939 time-lapse photograph of a boy running. Also at IMMA, ‘Through the Eyes’ is the title of Gerard Byrne’s exhibition at IMMA. Influenced by literature and theatre, Byrne’s multi-layered work consistently references a range of sources, from popular magazines of the recent past to iconic modernist playwrights such as Brecht, Beckett, and Sartre. Included are ‘New Sexual Lifestyles, 2003’ (based on a conversation published in the September 1973 issue of Playboy magazine and the ongoing Case Study: Loch Ness. Kronn Collection: until 9 October; Gerard Byrne: until 31 October
Sligo bound
New work from Geraldine O’Reilly may be viewed at the Hamilton Gallery in Sligo next month. Her work relates to landscape. Whether working, painting or drawing outside, she extracts ideas and stories from research relating to a particular view. An exhibition from Leo Higgins and James McCleary follows in November. Geraldine O'Reilly: 6 - 29 October; Higgins/McCleary: 3 – 26 November
John Noel Smith at Solstice
Solstice Arts Centre, in Co Meath will also host an exhibition of Smith’s work this autumn. Smith's work has an eloquent articulation that reveals some influence of the modernist tradition, while at the same time subjecting it to expert analysis. Exerting a masterful control over the process, these are enigmatic works of enduring energy that combine a great love of texture and formal flexibility, manipulating notions of foreground and background, surface and depth. Hillsboro Fine Art will also host John Noel Smith's ‘The Fold’ in October. John Noel Smith: Hillsboro Fine Art , 6 October - 5 November; Solstice Arts Centre 13 October – 19 November
Cork Pulling Power
An awareness of gravity is perennial in Western art and culture. Renaissance painters often depicted figures either bound to earth or soaring above it, to express a spiritual aspiration. An awareness of physics informs the work of many contemporary artists in ‘Gravity’, currently on view at the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork. Participants include Marina Abramovic, Aideen Barry, William Forsythe and Brian Duggan. There are drawings, too, by Ilya Kabakov, and sculptures by Dorothy Cross and Michael Warren. In a number of recent videos, the artist Grace Weir explores the world of astronomy and physics, while paintings by Sean Scully display his custumary sense of gravitas. Gravity: until 29 October.
A Woman's World
A major exhibition entitled ‘Irish Women Artists of the Twentieth Century’ at South Tipperary County Museum, Clonmel is poised to turn the spotlight on the changing themes and practices of women artists living and working in Ireland. Artists include Sarah Purser, Estella Solomons, Eva Hamilton, Mary Swanzy, Evie Hone, Mainie Jellett, Nano Reid, Norah McGuinness, Frances Kelly, Bea Orpen, Dorothy Cross, Alice Maher, Marie Foley and Clare Langan. The exhibition, drawn from The Niland Collection and The Collection of South Tipperary County Museum, will be presented in collaboration with The Model, Sligo. Women Artists: 7 October – 14 January
Old Columbian Art
Independent TD Shane Ross will open an exhibition showcasing work by Old Columbans artists at St Columba’s College in Dublin. Several artists have accepted an invitation to display their work. Many pieces will be available to buy, and buyers will be invited to donate works of art to the college collection if they wish. Proceeds will go towards the Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice and the College Art restoration fund. Old Columbans Art: 26-27 October
