‘Our art is as good as our literature’
Dublin Book Festival to highlight modern Irish visual art:
IRISH visual art should get the same recognition as our worldfamous literature enjoys, says the co-editor of a new book analysing modern Irish art.
Irish Art 1920-2020: Perspectives On Change features essays by 11 authors alongside images of significant pieces from painting, sculpture, photography and other visual art forms. It will be the focus of a talk at next month’s Dublin Book Festival, for which the Irish Mail on Sunday and Irish Daily Mail are media partners.
Co-editor Yvonne Scott, an art historian who is fellow emeritus in Trinity College Dublin, said: ‘There has been a very strong recognition of Ireland’s literary brilliance, but
‘Coming to the field for first time is mesmerising’
there is wonderful visual art as well. We just really felt the book was an opportunity to explore some of the work that’s been produced.’
Although she admits some chapters are ‘more accessible than others’, Ms Scott says the book could offer novices a way into understanding Irish art.
‘Coming to the field for the first time is mesmerising – you just don’t know where to begin,’ she said. ‘So it’s quite useful if somebody sets out some arguments or perspectives for you to use as your foundation. Then you can decide if you agree with something or not.’
Despite the book’s title, it features some works completed before 1920, including a number of pieces by Belfast artist John Lavery.
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