A collector’s personal initiative to mark 1916 delivers a reflective response from some of Ireland’s most prominent artists, writes Sarah Kelleher
The centenary year has brought with it a measure of anxiety as to how best we should mark this fraught, tumultuous, formative episode in Ireland’s history. Collector Larry Lambe, conscious that it might be all too easy to slip into simplistic celebratory mode and wary that the organized memorial events might result in a surfeit of ‘silhouettes of Padraig Pearse’, began in 2009 t0 commission a number of Ireland’s most prominent artists and writers to engage with remembering 1916. Well before any fervour set in, his invited poets and artists had ample time to consider their responses.
In recording the traditional attire of female estate workers, Augusta Caroline Dillon of Clonbrock House, Co Galway, seemed presciently aware that her images would become historical document, writes Christiaan Corlett.
George Berkeley is famous for his contribution to philosophical thought, but less well known for his observations on art, some of which Peter Murray examines here.
Richard Gorman is marking his 70th year with an exhibition at Castletown, Co Kildare where his colourful abstracts animate the walls of its classical interior, writes Jennifer Goff.