Jimmy Deenihan
Question:4 Mr. Deenihan asked the Taoiseach if the National Gallery have any plans to exhibit any of their paintings, by Irish artists, in the United States.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exhibitions of Irish Art.
The National Gallery of Ireland have no such plans at present but this is a situation which can change from time to time.
Are the Taoiseach's Department actively encouraging such exhibitions in the United States and other countries? Would he agree that there could be a major advantage for this country from a cultural and tourism point of view in exhibiting the works of some of our most renowned artists in America and other countries?
I am all in favour of increasing cultural exchanges and artistic exhibitions of an international dimension. The National Gallery have no particular plans just at the moment, but there are other vehicles through which such contacts and exchanges are processed. The Cultural Relations Committee at the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Arts Council have a number of ongoing schemes to promote the interflow of artistic and cultural information and exhibitions.
In view of the fact that it is over 15 years since there was a major exhibition of Irish works abroad and since the National Gallery are in the process of fund raising, would it not be opportune to take up some of the offers from America to exhibit some of our material there?
Yes, I do not disagree. It is just a question of suitability of venues, invitations and arrangements. There is quite a lot of activity going on. Some of the artists who have received CRC funding for the promotion of Irish art abroad from 1 January 1991 to date include Louis le Brocquy in Japan. Fred Conlon, a sculptor in India, Ciaran Lennon, a painter in Spain, a group of painters in Italy, Daniel de Chenu in Japan, Bernard McDonagh, a painter in Belgium, a group of photographic artists in the US, Joe McGill, artist and sculptor in the US, and Patrick Hall, a painter in the US. There is quite a bit going on.