‘The Alchemist's Chamber’ at Filmbase, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 adds a touch of magic to the seasonal mix this Christmas. It was once believed that alchemists could transform worthless metals into silver and gold. Believing art to be the true touchstone, the Olliart Christmas Show will see household objects and recycled furniture turned into works of art. A melting pot of styles, interpretations, talents and perspectives is in prospect, breathing new life into old artefacts. Participating artists include Mark Doherty, John Fitzsimons, Jordi Forniés, and Hanneke van Ryswyk. Filmbase: 8-18 December
'Tis the season
The Doorway Gallery in Dublin will herald the Christmas season with more than 300 paintings and sculptures showing together in ‘Christmas Stocking Fillers’. All of the Gallery’s artists have been working throughout the year towards this show, creating new work on size 8 x 10” canvases. Gallery artists include Geraldine O’Reilly, Michael Killen, John Philip Murray, Padraig McCaul, Roisin O’Farrell, and Aidan Hickey. Doorway Gallery: 3 December – 20 January
A Whyte's Christmas
Hundreds of artworks will be available at Whyte’s annual Art for Christmas sale. As always, the event will be the ideal opportunity for the discerning buyer to find gifts of lasting value. Viewing takes place from 8-12 December at Whyte’s, with the auction on 12 December at the nearby Freemason’s Hall in Dublin. Whyte’s Art Sale: viewing 8-12 December; auction at Freemason’s Hall, 12 December
Eclectic show at Hillsboro
Hillsboro Fine Art on Parnell Square in Dublin has mustered a first-class selection of paintings and sculpture this Yuletide. Choose from museum-quality international works by Markus Lupertz, Gillian Ayres and Anthony Caro to cutting-edge contemporary new pieces from London-based Irish painter Sheila Rennick and Korean rising art star Guk-Hyun Lee. Many of Ireland's critically acclaimed artists will show major new works – these include Michael Warren, John Noel Smith, Eddie Kennedy and Patrick Graham. As always, there will be a selection of smaller works too.
Treats at Talbot
Talbot Gallery & Studios revisits its previously themed ‘Treat’ show this year, but with a new twist. Marking the Year of Craft 2011, the Dublin venue is offering new artists a platform for their work. Alongside these works, six emerging Irish designers will be showcasing pieces from their latest collections. Participants will include Anne Hendrick, Ian John Coughlan Bennie Reilly, Cecila Danell and many others. Designers Meabh de Burca, Julie Nolan, Justyna Truchanowska and Muireann Walshe will also be among those taking part. Talbot Gallery: 2–22 December; Hillsboro Fine Art: 8–22 December
Small is beautiful
The Balla Bán Art Gallery in central Dublin lays claim to being Ireland’s smallest gallery. The Christmas show will feature artists who have exhibited solo shows at this venue over the last twelve months. Artists participating will be Pervaneh Matthews, Marion Bockman, Frank O'Dea, Lucie Pacovska, John Morris, John Hurley, Niall O'Loughlin and Kelly Hood. An extensive selection of paintings and limited edition prints will be available. Balla Bán Art Gallery: 12 – 23 December
Nollaig Shona
The Joan Clancy Gallery’s relatively remote location in the Waterford Gaeltacht is just one of its manifold charms. This year’s Christmas show boasts work by local and international artists, including Arthur Maderson, Conor O’Mahony, Andrea Jameson, Blawnin Clancy, Katarzyna Gajewska, Rayleen Clancy and Raphael Llewellyn. Joan Clancy Gallery: 25–27 November & 3 –4 December (or by appointment).
New directions
“Journey” is an exhibition of painting/drawing by Eddie O’Kane and Matthew O’Kane at the Cavancor, Lifford, Co Donegal. The latter has immersed himself in European cities, engaging with buildings within each city. He bids his viewer pause and look rather than rush to the next view. His paintings thus hold the viewer in a specific place, giving them time to absorb the scene, the colours and its textures. By contrast, Eddie O’Kane’s ‘journey’ uses memories like a stream of consciousness, with resonances from the past triggering a response leading further back in time. Watch out also at the Cavancor for a solo exhibition by Ann Marie Webb, recipient of the Peter O’Kane Award in conjunction with the RDS Student Art Awards. Her work tackles issues such as progression, a search for order, difference and a sense of the 'real' through the medium of the romantic landscape. Eddie O'Kane, Matthew O’ Kane, Ann Marie Webb Cavanacor Gallery: Until 17 December
One foot square
The Higher Bridges Gallery in The Clinton Centre, Enniskillen presents ‘1 Ft. Sq.’, Fermanagh District Council’s fourth annual visual arts Christmas exhibition. The exhibition will showcase over 100 artworks from established and emerging artists nationwide. The event provides an opportunity to purchase something that little bit extra special this Christmas – or simply to mull over some of the best of contemporary Irish art. Higher Bridges Gallery: 2–21 December
Ringing the changes
The first Christmas Exhibition in Jorgensen Fine Art’s new premises at Hibernian Way in Dublin will see artists old and new in celebratory mode. Long an established highlight of the seasonal calendar, the change of venue will only serve to inject a fresh energy into the proceedings. The artist roster is as impressive and reliable as ever. Liam Belton, Joe Dunne, James English, Jackie Mitchell, Patrick Pye,
Alison Rosse and Vadim Tuzov are here. New to the gallery will be Michael Bennallack-Hart, Lucy Kelly, Bob Lynn, Peter Monaghan and Roger O’Neill.
Jorgensen: 1-31 December
Bernadette Madden at Greenacres
Bernadette Madden is the featured artist at Greenacres Christmas Show in Wexford this year. Madden is virtually synonymous with batik in Ireland. Her exceptional technical virtuosity in this medium has revealed the versatility of batik and exploited its painterly possibilities. A talk by the artist at the gallery in December is sure to attract interest. The Christmas exhibition will also include work by Jean Bardon, Aidan Butler, Frank Hallinan Flood, Pamela Leonard, Pau Maloney, Iwona Nartowska O'Reilly,Tony Robinson, and Caroline Ward. Greenacres Christmas Show: 3 December - 21 January; Bernadette Madden, artist talk 10 December
True Art Treasures
Treasures Irish Art Athlone is hosting its annual Christmas exhibition shortly. New works by a broad range of artistic talents will be on display, notably new works from Grace Cunningham, Kevin Flood, Ken Moroney, James Brohan, Mark O'Neill and Arthur K Maderson. Subjects range from rural cattle scenes and champion stallion Sadler’s Wells to French market scenes and interiors. Treasures Irish Art: 1–24 December
Family affair at Keeling Gallery
Brian McCarthy is among the artists participating in The Keeling Gallery Christmas 2011 Exhibition this year, alongside Chris McMorrow, Alan Kenny, Laura Mulligan, Paul Kerr, and John Kirwan. The Dublin gallery celebrates its 2nd anniversary this November and it has become a true family enterprise - gallery founder and artist Vincent Keeling has now been joined by his brother Mark who exhibits his metal sculpture there, and his sister Jean, who completes the gallery team. Keeling Gallery:
24 November – 24 December
End of year show at peppercanister
The Peppercanister Gallery’s popular end-of-year group show features a wide selection of fine contemporary paintings and sculpture. The list of artists involved includes Brian Ballard, Liam Belton, Graham Gingles, Albert Irvin, Rosie McGurran, Tracey Quinn, Ruth McHugh, Neil Shawcross and Andrew Vickery.
Peppercanister Gallery: 1–24 December
Galway treasures
The Christmas show at Kenny’s in Galway will be a multi-media exhibition. Work will include bronzes by John Behan, John Coll, Joe Sloan, James McCarthy and Jarlath Daly; paintings by Mick Flaherty, Éadaín, Fran McCann, Ben Maile, Michael Gemmell, Paul Guilfoyle, Liam Jones, Mike Flannery, and Dean Kelly; limited edition prints by Shane Crotty, Marja Van kampen, and Gertrude Degenhardt; bogwood sculpture by Kieran Tuohy; engraved glass by Dennis Brown; and ceramics by Anne Towers. Kenny’s: until 6 January
