Well-known artist Donald Teskey and rising star David King, both Award-winners at the annual RHA exhibition, discuss with Roisin Kennedy the continuing relevance of painting in an art world increasingly dominated by other media
The RHA annual exhibition provides the public with a rare opportunity of viewing a cross-section of painting, sculpture and now, photography by established and up and coming artists. Its blend of the traditional and the innovative can be frustrating at times but in recent years the inclusion of more of the latter has made the exhibition much more interesting and relevant to the general public, collectors and artists. In particular the RHA offers a vital platform for painters, and this year’s show contains an impressive array of approaches in this medium. Two of this year’s prizewinners have been encouraged to exhibit at the RHA as a result of the subtle change in direction, which has characterised the venue over recent years
Shane O’ Toole finds that the tragic atmosphere that had dogged the buildings of St Joseph’s Reformatory has been exorcised
Paul O’ Reilly previews a major exhibition of new work by John Shinnors which will open in his home town of Limerick on 19 September