Scully among 10 new Aosdana members

Internationally known painter Sean Scully is among 10 new members elected to the creative artists' association, Aosdβna. The latest additions, at a meeting of the general assembly in Dublin yesterday, bring total membership of the association to 185.

Born in Dublin, Scully moved to London at an early age and now divides his time between New York, London and Barcelona. His work has been exhibited in some of world's major galleries, including the National Gallery of Art in Washington, the Reina Sofia in Madrid, and the Tate, London. He has been a visiting lecturer and external examiner at the National College of Art, Dublin.

New writers elected to the body include Evelyn Conlon, the novelist and short story writer from Co Monaghan and Anne Haverty, the Tipperary-born author whose work includes a biography of Constance Markievicz.

Ita Daly, the author of five novels and two children's books, was also elected, as was the Monaghan poet and author, Mary O'Donnell, and Dublin writer, critic, and translator Adrian Kenny.

London-born but now living in Sligo, Nick Miller was among the visual artists elected. Mainly concerned with the human figure, his newest collection features paintings of the north-west landscape, and will be exhibited in Sligo next year.

Cork painter Fergus Martin is another new member, as are Limerick sculptor Tom Fitzgerald and Dubliner Mary Lohan, whose paintings focus on the landscapes of Mayo and Donegal.

Membership of Aosdβna is limited to artists born or resident in Ireland, with a recognised body of work. Members are entitled to apply for annual grant of £8,000, depending on income, to allow them concentrate full-time on their art.

In motions passed by the assembly yesterday, the association called on RT╔ to "recover and maintain" its role as the national public service broadcaster, and criticised as an effort "to stifle freedom of speech" proposed legislation allowing the confiscation of equipment from pirate radio stations.