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* Gallanteers (derived from Gallery/Volunteers/Musketeers/Gallantry/Bravery) In a nutshell. Dublin Canvas issued a call for submissions to re-paint traffic light control boxes in different Dublin streets.  The NGI volunteers or Gallanteers* as we called ourselves for this project came together as a group in April 2021, to design & submit an entry in response to the call. The group had a number of virtual meetings during which a specific control box was chosen.  An image representing the area [...]

Where is the Centre of the Art World?  Most people would say the choice is between Paris, New York and London.  I would say the Art World is a flock of migratory birds, landing seasonally, replenishing and then moving on.  Right now it looks like the Centre of the Art World has landed on the small Mediterranean island of Menorca.  Here are just 3 of my reasons for thinking so: Reason 1.  Hauser and Wirth opened their new gallery on [...]

In 1607 The coat of arms was granted to the city of Dublin by the English crown.  However, the three castles have been a symbol of the city for far longer and are shown on the city seal which dates back to the 13th century.The three castles in the seal are burning but the flames do not depict a real fire but symbolise the zeal and readiness of the citizens of Dublin to defend their city.There is a figure in [...]

Rosa Bonheur was born in Bordeaux France in 1822 and went to live in Paris at a young age.  She painted mainly animals in a realistic style.  Her attention to detail was outstanding. Her deep understanding and affinity to animals she put down to the fact that as a youngster struggling to read and write her mother came up with an ingenious way to teach her letters by associating each one with an animal by drawing it. [...]

Anne Madden was born in London to Irish parents and she spent her early years in Chile. She spent periods of her adolescence in the Burren in County Clare and became fascinated by the landscape – taking long horse rides there alone, immersing herself in its beauty which informed her early paintings. Later, in the 1950s, Anne was heavily influenced by the Abstract Expressionist movement, after going to an exhibition in London. Anne came to explore different questions of the [...]

Ai Weiwei (2011) - ‘My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression, a new way of communication. It is never about exhibiting in museums or about hanging it on the wall. Art should live in the heart of the people. Ordinary people should have the same ability to understand art as anybody else. I don’t think art is elite or mysterious. I don’t think anyone can separate art from politics. The intention to [...]

Nicola Carroll has had a midlife career reboot after a full career in the corporate world. Her passion for art and architecture began in Barcelona, continued when she returned to college as an empty nester, resurfaced and found its sweet spot in Artful Tours, an art and historic themed walking tours business, covering everything from the Normal People tour to The Forgotten Women of the 1916 Rebellion. Where do we sign up? I'm Nicola [...]