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Minister of State Brian Hayes welcomes the opening of ‘Encounters’ - A Joint DFP/OPW Exhibition of Government Artworks
The annual joint touring exhibition of artworks from the collections of the Office of Public Works (OPW) in the Republic of Ireland and the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) of Northern Ireland is this year entitled ‘Encounters’. The exhibition’s theme sees a pairing of artworks from each collection, with each ‘encounter’ creating a dialogue between the works. The exhibition will be on view at the Derry Central Library until 2nd November.
Speaking before the opening this evening, Minister Hayes said, “It gives me great pleasure that the wonderful ‘Encounters’ exhibition will be on view in Derry, the UK City of Culture. Derry is hosting myriad cultural events during 2013 and we are pleased to add to that unique mix. Each of the OPW artworks in this exhibition has been acquired under our Percent for Art scheme, where a portion of all construction budgets is set aside to include an artwork. In this way we are able to support the work of artists and ensure that the wider public get the opportunity to enjoy the creativity. I would like to thank all those involved in planning this travelling exhibition: the DFP team and my own OPW team members and I look forward to welcoming it to further venues across the island of Ireland.”
The OPW has been working in co-operation with the DFP in relation to art exhibitions since 1997 and the joint exhibitions have toured extensively throughout Ireland – to arts centres, libraries, civic offices, colleges and heritage properties – and to several venues abroad. The artworks included in these exhibitions have mainly been purchased for public buildings located throughout the island.
This year’s Exhibition started in Lisburn City Library and will be in The Derry Central Library, Derry-Londonderry (4 October to 2 November); Cork County Library Headquarters (11 November to 2 December); and Red Door Gallery, Newcastle West, County Limerick (7 December to 18 January 2014).
An exhibition catalogue is available from the OPW Art Management Office email: artmanagement@opw.ie.