Longing for Home

‘Longing for Home’, a selection of works from the Collection of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland launched in Strule Arts Centre on Thursday 06 June 2024.

The collection is considered to be the leading public contemporary art collection for Northern Ireland representing artists at the forefront of visual arts practice.

From a total of over seven hundred artworks, over thirty five works have been selected for the exhibition in Strule Arts Centre.  The inspiration behind the selection was to reflect the theme of ‘Home’ as a very diverse, undefined and subjective space to humans and other beings.

The works represent the more recent practice of artists working in Northern Ireland and elsewhere today, at different stages in their careers, from emerging to established.  Many of the artists are from the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area featuring a wide range of disciplines including drawing, painting, sculpture, craft, print, photography and video. The artworks displayed reflect artistic practice that is innovative and challenging and contributes to the development of visual arts practice in Northern Ireland.

Speaking about the exhibition, Vice Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Elaine Brough said:“I am delighted that Strule Arts Centre is hosting a selection of works from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to provide an opportunity for our residents to enjoy this quality artwork by local artists.

The Council is committed to supporting access to arts, culture and heritage and this exhibition helps us to achieve this.  I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to view the exhibition while it is on display.”

 Joanna Johnston, Visual Arts & Collections Officer at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, added,

“The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is excited to see a selection of work from the Arts Council’s Collection on display at Strule Arts Centre.  This exhibition has come about thanks to our Art Lending Scheme which provides an opportunity for public venues to borrow works for display from the Arts Council’s Collection, one of the leading contemporary art collections in Northern Ireland.

By offering the Collection for public display, we are helping to showcase the work of our artists, introduce the public to Northern Ireland’s wealth of creative talent and provide visitors with a rich insight into the artistic practice of our leading visual artists.

In this exhibition at Strule Arts Centre, visitors can experience an interesting selection of works from our Collection, that in some way responds to the exhibition theme ‘Longing for Home’, including many by artists from the Fermanagh and Omagh area.  I would encourage people to call in to experience some of our Collection out on display.”

Strule Arts Centre is grateful to local artist and art tutor, Helen Bullock McFarland, for her initial support and guidance on the theme and selection of works.

The exhibition will be on display from Friday 7 June until Saturday 27 July 2024, 9.30am – 5pm Monday – Saturday. Admission is free.

For more information on the exhibition, or Strule Arts Centre’s programme of events, visit www.struleartscentre.co.uk , contact 028 8224 7831 or email strulearts@fermanaghomagh.com.