Dath an Dóchais 40 Gaeltacht Visual Artists Celebrated
Ealaín na Gaeltachta, in partnership with Údaras na Gaeltachta, is delighted to celebrate Gaeltacht visual artists in an online exhibition celebrating 40 years of support for the visual arts in the Gaeltacht.
“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.” – Catherine Marshall, April 2021.
Curated by Una Campbell and the team at An Gailearaí, Gaoth Dobhair, the online exhibition launched on Monday May 17th at www.DathanDochais.com. The virtual experience will also feature an audio element, as well as a commissioned essay by art critic and selector Catherine Marshall.
“………. and 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”. – Una Campbell, An Gailearaí.
As Údarás na Gaeltachta marks its fortieth year, it has partnered with Ealaín na Gaeltachta to celebrate the visual arts in An Ghaeltacht during that period. The first step of Dath an Dóchais was 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.
“The visual culture of the Gaeltacht is as vibrant and diverse as the Gaeltacht itself. This celebration, curated by An Gailearaí, offers a view of several generations of Gaeltacht artists, from welcome immigrants to a younger generation which has benefitted from and taken ownership of a growing culture of visual expression. We look 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.” – Rachel Holstead, Ealaín na Gaeltachta.
The exhibition illuminates the breadth and diversity of work being made by artists who live and work within the Gaeltacht and celebrates several generations of artists. Widespread access to the arts has always been a priority for both Údaras an Gaeltachta and Ealaín na Gaeltachta, as well as An Gailearaí. The online format, while necessitated by COVID, also ensures that the exhibition can be accessed throughout the Gaeltacht as well as nationally and internationally.
“As a Gaeltacht community, we are deeply indebted to our artists. Imagine a life without their vision, without their dreams. They make the world aware of who we, as a Gaeltacht community, are and they also make us aware of who we are as a community. They nurture us as a community and, as a community, we are grateful for that.
This exhibition 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. Much of that spirit still remains.” – Rónán Mac Con Iomaire, Stiúrthóir Forbartha Réigiúin, Pobail & Teanga.