Irish cross-border still life collection in Dublin’s Phoenix Park

by Kim Mullahey · Published January 31, 2020 · Updated January 31, 2020

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THE latest in a series of joint art exhibitions by the Department of Finance, Stormont Estate Northern Ireland and the OPW (Office of Public Works) in Southern Ireland has officially been opened in Phoenix Park Visitors Centre, and will continue daily until Monday, 23^rd March.

The exhibition, ‘Life in Still Life’, currently showing in Phoenix Park Visitors Centre, Dublin, Ireland

Mounted by 51 contributing artists and spanning the former dairy of the historic deer park in Europe’s largest enclosed public city park, the exhibition was unveiled by Nigel Bonner, Department of Finance Northern Ireland on Thursday, 23^rd January.

Napkins in still life, stored in between uses in a religious community currently showing in Phoenix Park Visitors Centre, Dublin, Ireland

“I have seen these pieces displayed in different settings against white walls in public buildings and here against the old stone they look particularly well,” said Nigel Bonner of the collection acquired from their permanent homes in public buildings for the exhibition. “We work inside an old cottage that was converted into offices and I love old buildings that have been restored.”

The richly textured ‘Table Top’, currently showing in Phoenix Park Visitors Centre, Dublin, Ireland

‘Morning Light’, a frame within a frame

Artist Yvonne Moore, her daughter Ami and husband Eddie on opening night of the exhibition in Phoenix Park Visitors Centre

The Phoenix Park was in 17^th-century Ireland, a royal hunting park until opening to the public in the mid-18^th century. Home to the Zoological Gardens, the President of Ireland and the American Ambassador, Phoenix Park was awarded the World Urban Parks God Medal in 2018.

Friends of the exhibition Aine, Maeve and Patricia O’Flaherty

Melissa Nicolas of National Monuments and her husband Mazen Al Fawaz

The exhibition is currently on display in the third of four venues following its launch in Northern Ireland last September.

Contributing artist Pamela Nolan and friend Mairead O’Sullivan

“We are delighted that over the next two months we will have this exhibition here as part of the Phoenix Park Visitors Experience,” said Director of Historic Properties Rosemary Collier in her comments on opening night. “This is one of the great stories of collaboration that has had great longevity and commitment to what we are trying to achieve in reaching audiences and artists.”

Nigel Bonner, Department of Finance Northern Ireland, left, art advisor Jacquie Moore, Rosemary Collier, Historic Properties; Marian O’Brien, OPW; Duncan Morris, Stormont Estate

Artistic collaboration between governments in Southern and Northern Ireland marked the 21^st year following a series of informal exhibits, launched shortly before the historic Good Friday Agreement was reached. Exhibitions run annually in a variety of venues and on a series of distinctive themes.

“A shared cross-border partnership with the (Northern Ireland) Department of Finance has brought our two administrations closer together over two decades,” said OPW Art Advisor Jacquie Moore. “I think with Brexit, our partnership will be even more important in the coming years. The cross-border collaboration serves to strengthen our lings between our two central government departments.”