MAJOR `ART & THE ENVIRONMENT` EXHIBITION IN DRUMSHANBO
Written by Sandra Vernon
On Saturday, 30th June, in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim, an art event will be taking place that started as a small acorn and has grown into a full tree. “The Upset” –our awareness and the freedom to express it- will be taking place in one of the empty units on the old Lairds site, behind the Food Hub, in Drumshanbo. This exhibition started as an expression of concern by some artists about the environment and has now grown to a major exhibition with over 50 artists, many well known, not just from Ireland, but from USA, Mexico, Hong Kong and the UK exhibiting. The exhibition will be open until Friday 6th July, but the opening day on Saturday 30th at 12pm (until 9.30pm) will be an exciting mix of art; music; readings; dance; film and workshops where through their different practices the artists involved can show their love and concern for the environment and its future.
Among the activities on the opening day there will be readings by artists from their poems and stories…… music performances by Lionadh Rua with vocals by Marcia Kenny, Del and Joanne Lawrie and Yasmic Chaudrey aka “Fuzzy Hell” and dance performances during the day by The Tahany academy of Irish Dancing. Short film and videos by other artists, 5 of them PhD graduates, will also be continuously showing on a screen. At 4pm there will be a 10min presentation followed by a workshop given by Mary Conroy. Her current project “ Wildroutes” encourages users of Limerick City to build their environment in a way which benefits all inhabitants. The workshop is on seedbomb making and anybody attending is asked to bring any seed and compost they have lying around. It is, as are all performances, a free event. At 5pm Belinda Loftus from will give an overview of her Ph.D research on climate change and the visual arts sector.
With over 50 artists involved and at least twice as many works it is impossible to list them all. American pop surrealist artist Scott Musgrove has sent work from Seattle ”Lotus Louis”, one of his iconic fictitious animals. Winner of the `12 National Geographic kids Photography and many other awards, Eleanor Leonne Bennet is another contributor. Sculptor Jackie McKenna with 2 ceramic pieces,” Love Leitrim” & “Daisy Loves Leitrim” and a bronze Curlew. Sarah Stevens will be showing pieces from her acclaimed “Derelict Nations” project featuring the Abbey Manor Hotel in Dromahair; Maria Noonan Mcdermott with two of her evocative oil paintings; Calligrapher Shay Cunningham; Freda Young; Sandra Vernon; Kathy O`Leary, the list goes on and the work is varied in content and media. Each piece will have an artists statement outlining their thoughts behind their work and a bit about themselves.
. “The Upset” is taking place at the instigation of Harriet Tahany, a local artist who graduated from Sligo IT with a first In Fine Art and completed her Masters Degree in Belfast in 2009 after winning the RDS Taylor Art Award. She will be documenting this exhibition for a further exhibition to take place in Dublin in October. She would like to thank all the people who have worked hard to bring this important exhibition about, business owners and friends alike. Entrance to this event is, naturally, free of charge. All the artists have contributed to cover the costs of Insurance, posters etc.
The Exhibition times are Sat 30th June, 12-9.30pm; Sunday – Fri 6th July 12-5pm (from Sun-Fri the films and videos will be shown all day), further information on participating artists and performances can be obtained from http://www.facebook.com/events/382365395136909/ or email the_upset_leitrim@hotmail.com
Since news of the content of this exhibition has spread, ie Sunday Times, many students have requested to study and document the show. This really helps highlight the importance of this exhibition, not just for artists and students but anyone who is concerned or interested in their environment.
