Precious Cargo, a selection of hidden treasures and new acquisitions from the collection of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, is currently on display at the London Street Gallery in Derry.
The exhibition, being staged as part of the City of Culture’s Visual Arts programme, has 30 works on show, featuring a selection of internationally renowned artists such as Basil Blackshaw, Barbara Freeman, Susan McWilliams and Graham Gingles, emerging artists and recent graduates of Art and Design, displayed alongside works by major UK artists including the famously provocative Tracey Emin, and one of the most significant and original painters of our time, Bridget Riley.
Noelle McAlinden, director of the London Street Gallery and arts in education adviser for the Culture Company 2013, said: ‘We are really excited about hosting this show at The London Street Gallery. This exhibition is a major coup – not just for the gallery but for the city.
Susanne Lyle, Head of Visual Arts at the Arts Council, said the exhibition was a “wonderful opportunity” for City of Culture audiences to see some of the Arts Council’s recent acquisitions and to see the “breadth, depth and quality” of contemporary visual art to emerge from Northern Ireland over the last decade.
‘To host work of this calibre from artists Emin, Blackshaw, Riley, Gingles – key names in the visual arts world – is fantastic. This exhibition not only offers access to an eclectic mix of works but complements our ongoing ambition to programme free and accessible exhibitions of both well established artists and emerging artists in the gallery.
She concluded: ‘The timing and relevance of Precious Cargo is significant, when the city is currently reviewing provision and future of exhibition space, including exploring the success and future potential of Ebrington as an exhibition space.”
The exhibition runs at the London Street Gallery until 25 November. Admission is free and the gallery is open from 11.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Saturday.
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