The Art of a Nation: First major exhibition of Irish art in London for over 30 years
This article originally appeared on Culture24.
A major survey of Irish Art heads to the Mall Galleries in London
Still Life (circa 1950)© Gerard Dillon, courtesy Crawford Art Gallery and AIB CollectionArt of a Nation opens at London’s Mall Galleries on May 13 with more than 70 works by many of Ireland’s greatest artists, drawn from Allied Irish Banks’ impressive collection of paintings, photography, tapestry, sculptures and video.
Referencing key moments in Ireland’s rich history - from the War of Independence to the present day - the works range from 19th century en plein air painters such as Aloysius O’Kelly and Sir John Lavery to the Dublin Painters Sean Keating, Jack B Yeats and Paul Henry. Iconic moments of Irish life are presented in works by Harry Kernoff and Grace Henry.
Works by Sean Scully, Hughie O’Donoghue, John Gerrard and Caroline McCarthy reflect the strength and depth of contemporary Irish art, while the presence of William Scott and Sir William Orpen remind us of the pervasive influence of the Irish on British and international painting.
The Allied Irish Banks collection traces the development of Irish art, beginning with the birth of modernism in around 1900 and featuring works by Irish artists based at home and abroad and works by foreign artists operating in Ireland.
William Scott
Blue Still Life with Knife (1971)© William Scott, courtesy Crawford Art Gallery and AIB Collection
A Race in Hy Brazil (1937)© Jack B Yeats, courtesy Crawford Art Gallery and AIB Collection
Border Road (1994)© Willie Doherty, courtesy AIB Collection
On Our Knees (1997)© Hughie O’Donoghue, courtesy AIB Collection
On The Run - War of Independence (1921)© Séan Keating, courtesy Crawford Art Gallery and AIB Collection
The Boxer (circa 1914)© Sir William Orpen, courtesy Crawford Art Gallery and AIB Collection
The Forty Foot, Sandycove (1940)© Harry Kernoff, courtesy Crawford Art Gallery and AIB Collection
Walking to the Sea (1989)© William Crozier, courtesy Crawford Art Gallery / AIB Collection
Wall of Light, Summer (2001)© Séan Scully, courtesy AIB Collection- The Art of a Nation: Irish Works from the Allied Irish Banks and Crawford Art Gallery Collections is the Mall Galleries, London SW1 from May 13-31 2015.
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