SINGING THE REAL – AN EXHIBITION OF CONTEMPORARY IRISH ART
UNTIL 17 NOVEMBER 2007

This exhibition, organised by the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) in Dublin, is the first in an exchange between the RHA and Iziko South African National Gallery. Rather than curate a catch-all group exhibition that touches on the range, vitality and diversity of art in Ireland, curator Patrick Murphy decided to direct the exhibition towards a specific theme, looking at artists who employ scientific method or subject.

The strategy is to present an exhibition that addresses some of Ireland’s current social dilemmas and, in doing so, to offer South African viewers an opportunity of deepening their knowledge of, and friendship with, Ireland. The exhibition includes new media works, installations, photographs, drawings and paintings by ten artists, whose ages range from the late twenties to the mid-seventies. They evoke a range of scientific thought and methodology from astrophysics to thermodynamics, from meteorological observation to chemistry and environmental science. Messages about the degradation of the landscape, environmental pollution and global warming are subtle, yet ubiquitous. The exhibition is supported by Culture Ireland.

Enquiries: Marilyn Martin (mmartin@iziko.org.za), Joe Dolby (jdolby@iziko.org.za) or Pam Warne (pwarne@iziko.org.za) or Tel. 021 467 4660.