Titanic Drawing Offices, Belfast
19 September– 19 October, 2008
Tartaraghan Presbyterian Church, silver gelatin print, toners, dyes, gouache, 70cms x 56cms, 1993/08 © Victor Sloan
The 127th Annual Royal Ulster Academy Exhibition will be held in the historic Titanic Drawing Offices of Harland and Wolff Shipyard, Belfast. From 19 September– 19 October, the doors to this majestic building will be open to the public allowing them access for the first time to a very special part of Northern Ireland’s industrial heritage. Within these vast vaulted spaces, the RUA will exhibit works of leading and emerging local and international artists, and offer the public a rare opportunity to interact with the space through workshops, talks and tours.
RUA President Rita Duffy said “The Titanic Drawing Offices have been transformed into a major gallery for the 127th RUA Exhibition. This is our effort to foster a respect for the visual, and generate a really vibrant exhibition that engages and develops the important relationships needed to create enthusiastic patrons and participants in ambitious artistic projects”.
With support from KPMG, Arts& Business and the Arts Council, the RUA have developed an education strand running in tandem with the exhibition. This includes talks by artists such as Paul Seawright and Susan MacWilliam, as well as workshops for children, family days and screenings in association with the Northern Ireland Film Archive.
Jon D'Arcy, Chairman KPMG, the leading Accounting and Professional Advisory company said “A vibrant arts sector contributes so much to making Northern Ireland an attractive place in which to live and work. KPMG are committed to investing in the arts and we're delighted to continue our support of the RUA Autumn Exhibition”
Encouraging the public to attend the exhibition, Noirin McKinney, Director of Arts Development at the Arts Council Northern Ireland said “ By supporting the Royal Ulster Academy , we celebrate our local artists, not only those who have achieved international acclaim, significance and prestige, but also those who have been selected for the first time. The exhibition and outreach programme create more opportunities for people to get involved and enjoy the arts and I would encourage everyone to visit the exhibition and take part in the talks and workshops of offer in this unique, beautiful and historic setting”
Exhibiting artists include:
Academicians: Sophie Aghajanian, James Allen, Margaret Arthur, Brian Ballard, Basil Blackshaw, Richard Croft, Colin Davidson, Rita Duffy, Jean Duncan, TP Flanagan, Graham Gingles, Helen Kerr, R T Killen, Robert D Lee-Wade, Cecil Maguire, Elizabeth McEwen, Catherine McWilliams, Joseph McWilliams, Simon McWilliams, Jack Pakenham, Neil Shawcross, Bob Sloan, Victor Sloan MBE, Norman Smyth.
Associate Academicians: Barbara Allen, Anne M. Anderson, Betty Brown, Beatrice Chapleo, Joy Clements, Ivor Coburn, Chris Dearden, Gary Devon Daniel, Dowling, Denise Ferran, Les Jones, James MacKeever, Jim Manley, Clement McAleer, Colin McGookin, Rosie McGurran, Gordon McKnight, Joanna Mules, Marcus Patton, John Sherlock, Mavis Thomson, Veronica Wallis, Paul Walls, Keith Wilson, Ross Wilson.
Honorary Academicians: Brian Ferran, Harry Reid.
Invited Artists: Karin Bamford, Christine Bowen, Paddy Campbell, Dorothy Cross, Robin Doherty, Emma Donaldson, Charles Harper, Brendan Jamison, Robert Janz, Joanna Karolini, Sharon Kelly, Anthony Luvera, Susan MacWilliam, Alice Maher, Julie McGowan, Stephen McKenna, PRH, Ima Pico, Gail Ritchie, Doris Rohr, Valentin Rothmaler, Nichola Russell, Amy Russell, Paul Seawright, Dermot Seymour, Gary Shaw, Jenifer Trouton. Also Selected Artists.
The Exhibition is free and opens to the public 19 September – 19 October
Tuesday – Saturday 10.00am – 5.30 pm (last admission 5pm)
Sundays 1.00pm – 5.00pm (last admission 4.30pm)
Royal Ulster Academy
9-13 Waring Street
Belfast
BT1 2DX
T:028 9032 0819
M:07725316583
E: info@ruaonline.com
http://www.ruaonline.com/
The Gold Medal was awarded, and presented to Victor Sloan at the Exhibition Opening Reception on 18 September, by the Adjudicator Catherine Marshall, Collections Department of the Irish Museum of Modern Art and Visual Arts Touring and Collection Advisor to the Arts Council of Ireland.
