40 Gaeltacht artists featured in Gaoth Dobhair exhibition

Údaras na Gaeltachta, in partnership with Ealaín na Gaeltachta, is featuring Gaeltacht visual artists in an exhibition celebrating 40 years of support for the visual arts in the Gaeltacht.

The exhibition curated by Una Campbell, Anna Ní Mhaonaigh and the team at An Gailearaí, Gaoth Dobhair, was launched by Anna Ní Ghallachair, Chairperson of the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta, yesterday and can be viewed at an Gailearaí during between the 18th of January until the 18th of February.

The exhibition, which was launched digitally last year at www.DathanDochais.com as Údarás na Gaeltachta, marked its fortieth year supporting a vibrant Gaeltacht culture.

The renowned art historian, curator and critical writer Catherine Marshall worked closely with an Gailearaí as a selector on the challenging task of sifting through the rich well of Gaeltacht visual arts to select 40 artists who come from or have worked in An Ghaeltacht during the past 40 years.

Catherine said “What is refreshing about Dath an Dóchais is the degree to which contemporary artists, native to, or migrants to the west of Ireland from all over the world, see it as their base but are neither confined by it or defined by the tradition that had so depended upon it.”

Úna Campbell, Director of An Gailearaí added “The breadth of disciplines and the quality and expertise of execution are extraordinary. This exhibition clearly demonstrates the strength of vision and eloquence of each of the artist’s own visual language assembled here within the prism of the geography and spirit of the Gaeltacht.”

This exhibition, which runs at An Gailearaí until February 18th and can also be viewed online at www.DathanDochais.com, provides, not only an insight into forty years of Gaeltacht art, but also an insight into forty years of Údarás na Gaeltachta and forty years of the community spirit which demanded the establishment of Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Rónán Mac Con Iomaire, Stiúrthóir Forbartha Réigiúin, Pobail & Teanga, Údarás na Gaeltachta ensures us that a strong community spirit still remains and looks forward to continuing to support, be inspired and be challenged by these artists as they continue to grow their practices, and to meeting the new generations of Gaeltacht artists that they, in turn, inspire.

Ronan added that he welcomed the continued support and partnership between Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Arts Council in supporting the arts in the Gaeltacht.

The 40 artists whose work will be exhibited as part of Dath an Dóchais are :

Áine Ní Chíobháin

Alannah Robbins

Andrew Duggan

Aoife Casby

Bernadette Cotter

Bob Quinn

Brendan O’ Sullivan

Brian Bourke

Caoimhghin Ó Fraithile

Cathal McGinley

Ceara Conway

Ciara O’ Flynn

Clare Langan

Clare Cashman

Danny Chóil Dan Ó Flatharta RIP

Deirdre McKenna

Donnacha Quilty

Heidi Nguyen

Helen Quill

Ian Gordon

Ian Joyce

Katrina Quille

Karol Mac Gairbheith

Kevin McGee

Lelia Ní Chathmhaoil

Maria Simonds-Gooding

Niall Naessens

Nuala Ní Fhlathúin

Róisín Ní Chionnfhaolaidh

Sandra Landers

Sarah Lewtas

Pádraic Reaney

Patsy Dan Rodgers

Ruairí Rodgers

Seán Cathal Ó Coileáin

Seán Ó Flaithearta

Tadhg McSweeney RIP

Tomás Ó Cíobháin

Úna Ní Shé

Úna Quigley