ARTSPACE WILL celebrate its 25th anniversary with Artspace 25: Collective Consciousness, a major exhibition in the Galway Arts Centre, which opens this evening at 6pm.
Artspace was founded in 1986 as an artist collective. Over the years it has provided a platform for many locally based artists to share ideas, find common cause, and develop their individual careers.
For this exhibition the 16 Artspace members respond both individually and collaboratively to the idea of a collective consciousness exhibiting pieces of varying sensibilities and media, including painting, sculpture, and photography.
At the GAC a temporary ‘Collective Consciousness Studio’ has been constructed allowing interaction between visitors to the exhibition space and the artists at work.
A series of free workshops and discussions will also take place in the Studio including Sumi Ink sessions (Saturday, 2pm to 4pm ); and a collaborative discussion with founding member Kathleen Furey and local historian Mary Clancy entitled Public Memories in Art and Archives (August 3, 6pm to 8pm ).
An Artspace fanzine will be distributed in early August, edited by Isabelle Gaborit, which will feature interviews, images, and comments from members. Only 100 copies are being printed.
Artspace artists taking part in this exhibition are Laura Brennan, Juliette De la Mer, David Finn, Simon Fleming, Kathleen Furey, Isabelle Gaborit, Ben Geoghegan, Mariann Hughes Browne, Mark Kelly, Triona Mac Giolla Ri, Louise Manifold, Paul Maye, Mara Sola, Lisa O’Donnell, and Lisa Sweeney.
Collective Consciousness runs at the Galway Arts Centre, Dominck Street, until August 27. See www.galwayartscentre.ie
