Ten of Dublin’s leading commercial art galleries have joined forces to launch a new flagship event, Dublin Gallery Weekend. The three day affair, which is to become an annual event celebrates Dublin’s contemporary art sector, will showcase works through exhibitions and a special programme. Its inaugural weekend will take place on Friday 10th to Sunday 12th November.
Taking inspiration from Gallery Weekends across Europe, not only can members of the public meet artists whose work they may admire – and discover the stories behind the works – there will be a series of talks, performances, late night openings and social events, all of which are free to the public. Works by Irish artists such as John Doherty and Richard Gorman will feature, alongside international artists such as Callum Innes.
Taking place over three days, the event will showcase Dublin’s leading contemporary art galleries, now Ireland’s Contemporary Art Gallery Association. Galleries include Olivier Cornet, Hillsboro Fine Art, Green on Red, Kerlin, Kevin Kavanagh, Molesworth, Solomon Fine Art, Oliver Sears, So Fine Art Editions and Taylor Galleries.
Talks include how to build a meaningful collection of art through a programme of panel discussions, curated by art historian and former director of the National Gallery Sean Rainbird.
At the RDS
Over the same weekend, Art Source will open its doors at the RDS in Ballsbridge, where in excess of 15,000 visitors are expected to visit the 200 artists and galleries, which features a selection of affordable art, as well as pieces from some of the bigger names in the art world.
An attraction this year is a sculpture made from recycled Boeing 747 parts. A call from a local recycling business regarding dumped aviation parts led industrial designer Shane Holland to create the piece, an aero-marine sculpture to honour his ancestor John Philip Holland, the Co Clare engineer who made momentous advances in the development of submarine technology. His designs formed the basis for the US Navy’s first submarine fleet. Tickets are €10 plus fees.
Arthouse for Outhouse
Ending next weekend is Arthouse’s online auction, a fundraising charity for Outhouse, the LGBTQ+ community. The auction, which is currently open, has works from a diverse collection of some 150 artists including Maser, Tom Climent, Blaise Smith, Conor Horgan and Alan Phelan. Contributing artists will receive up to 50 per cent of the price achieved, with the balance going to the charity.
Grace O’Malley Foundation
On November 3rd next, the annual fundraiser for the Grace O’Malley Foundation will hold a charity auction, with seven highlights including a pair of diamond earrings from Weldon’s, and couture by fashion designer Niall Tyrell.
In terms of art, Rory Guthrie of de Vere’s will be on the rostrum, where over €20,000 was raised last year for the foundation that assists the elderly poor to remain living in their own homes. Works by Susan Mackay, Cora O’Brien, Maggie Wright and David Hayes feature, alongside figurative artist Maggie Wright and Anne Davey. Davey was one of the ‘wild card’ artists selected to appear in Landscape Artist of the Year, 2022, on Sky Arts.
