Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council awards Visual Art Commissions

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (dlr) Arts Office has today announced the award of three art Visual Art Commissions.

These Commissions give the successful artists funding and an exhibition in the Municipal Gallery, dlr LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire.

The artists will create new work that examines and connects to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County; the exhibitions are scheduled to place in 2025 and 2026.

The artists are:

• 2025: Martina O’Brien will respond to Dún Laoghaire’s peripheral bays, banks and sounds. These new artworks will be developed through engagement with researchers and marine environment experts and will explore the continuous altering of the seabed.
• 2025: Maeve McCarthy’s main themes tie in with earlier works set near her childhood home in Sandycove. The sites of memory: gardens, shortcuts, the few wild places displaced by the ever-expanding built environment. Her mother also grew up in the area, and Maeve plans to research photo and film archives to recreate places lost to development and time.
• 2026: Róisín Lewis’ work is a response to journeys she makes through the landscape. The wildflowers that line the boroughs pathways in midsummer, a fascination with weaving drafts, data, language and a love of walking, form the starting point for this commission.

Commenting on the commissions, Cathaoirleach, Councillor Denis O’Callaghan said:

“The Visual Art Commissions are a significant opportunity for artists to create new work which connects to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County. I would like to congratulate the three artists and really look forward to seeing the outcomes of their work”.

Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Frank Curran added:

“Dun-Laoghaire County Council is delighted to announce these awards.

“We are extremely grateful to The Arts Council for funding the Visual Art Commissions”.

The Visual Arts Commissions are managed by The Arts Office and funded by the Arts Council.

For further information, visit dlrcoco.ie/arts