The Visual Artists’ News Sheet (VAN ) is the primary all-Ireland information resource for visual artists. In the columns for this issue, Nick Miller discusses his role as curator of the RDS Visual Arts Awards 2017, while CEO of Visual Artists Ireland, Noel Kelly, offers insights into artistic censorship in Ireland. The NI column comes from Ben Crothers, who outlines the evolution of the long-running monthly event, Late Night Art Belfast.
This issue includes several conference reports: Joanne Laws and Christopher Steenson report on VAI’s Get Together 2017 at IMMA; Sarah Kelleher discusses ‘FIRST EDITION’ – a print symposium at Millennium Hall, organised by Cork Printmakers; Ciaran Smyth reports from Toronto, Canada, on ‘The Creative Time Summit 2017’; and Sue Rainsford outlines the ‘Art & Trauma’ seminar at The LAB, Dublin.
Continuing the theme of art and trauma, EL Putnam explores the work of County Down-based glassmaker, Alison Lowry, in the ‘How is it Made?’ section. Louise Manifold discusses her upcoming project ‘AerialSparks!’ commissioned for the Galway 2020 European City of Culture. In the Career Development section, Melissa O’Flaherty discusses the themes that underpin her practice, while Sarah Hayden interviews Pádraig Spillane about his recent work and solo exhibition ‘What Passes Between Us’.
Seoidín O’Sullivan reports on her recent socially-engaged residency in Chicago; Rebecca Strain outlines ‘The Unfamiliar Familiar’ – a project by artist Sue Morris commissioned by the Dementia Services Development Trust; and Stephen Rennicks presents several case studies that explore the ‘afterlife’ of public artworks. From a material culture perspective, Lisa Godson examines the banners created by the Artists’ Campaign to Repeal the Eighth Amendment, situating them within the broader history of social protest movements. In the Artists’ Publishing section, Ciarán Walsh discusses his novellas, Vortices and The Sickness, Book One, while Stephen Brandes outlines The food, the bad and the ugly, a new publication by the Domestic Godless.
The Regional Profile for this issue comes from Mid Ulster, outlining recent cultural activities of the Arts Office and the Seamus Heaney HomePlace. In addition, artists Brian Kielt and Trina Hobson discuss the realities of maintaining an art practice in the region.
Reviewed in the Critique section are: Kate Nolan at the Gallery of Photography; Pádraig Spillane at Sirius Arts Centre; Cliona Harmey, Seán Molloy and David Quinn at Solstice Arts Centre; Pat Collins and Paul Mosse at VISUAL; and ‘The Way Things Go: An Homage’ at the Butler Gallery.
As ever, we have details of upcoming VAI Professional Development Programme, exhibition and public art roundups, news from the sector and current opportunities.
Members of VAI receive a copy of the VAN delivered straight to their door. The News Sheet is also available to pick up free of charge in galleries and arts centres. Selected articles featured in the print edition are available at the Visual Artists’ News Sheet Online here: www.visualartistsireland.com.
