Newry and Mourne Museum are delighted to announce the opening of its latest temporary exhibition, ‘Newry Artists Past and Present’. This showcase celebrates the works of talented artists who hail from Newry or who have found inspiration in the local area.
The new exhibition features a collection of fine and applied art, including sculptures, dating from the late 19th century up until the present, and offers a unique opportunity to explore artworks from the Museum Collection that are not typically on display.
At the core of this display is the exploration of how these remarkable artists have utilised their skills to respond to the local landscape, the areas rich history and significant social and political events. In addition to the Museum’s own collection, the exhibition includes several works on loan and exciting new additions, including contemporary and abstract pieces.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte officially opened the exhibition and said, “The art works on display are a testament to the immense talent of our local artists, both past and present. It is inspiring to see how these artists, and those from further afield, have drawn inspiration from the captivating landscape, landmarks, and history of the Newry and Mourne area. Their creative and highly imaginative responses to our area have gained many of them national and international acclaim.”
Newry and Mourne Museum Curator, Dr Ken Abraham emphasised the accessibility of the exhibition and said, “One of our primary goals for temporary exhibitions is to make museum collections more accessible to the public. This exhibition provides visitors with a unique opportunity to view artworks from our collection that are not regularly on display. By combining traditional art forms with contemporary and abstract works, we aim to showcase the diverse range of mediums used by the represented artists, including oils on canvas, acrylics, sketches, and sculptures.”
The exhibition features the works of esteemed artists such as John Nixon, Margaret Clarke, Colin Turner, John Haugh, John Bannon, Cora Harrington, Sean Hillen, Greag Mac a' tSaoir, Anna-Marie Savage and Russell Reid. Their exceptional talents will undoubtedly captivate visitors.
The ‘Newry Artists Past and Present’ exhibition is housed in Temporary Exhibition Gallery Two at Newry and Mourne Museum and is open to the public free of charge until 27 April 2024.
