The five-star Castlemartyr Resort, Cork’s most luxurious hotel, is the sumptuous setting for Art and Soul, one of Ireland’s largest art and sculpture exhibitions this year. It is run by fine art dealers Gormleys – also to coincide with Blackwater Opera Festival – and the presence of this fine range of international art and sculpture, in such a stylish setting, will no doubt draw its own crowds.
This is the tenth big art and sculpture sale that Gormleys have organised, and the second time to host it at Castlemartyr. “Adults and children will equally enjoy the event, and our previous exhibitions in Russborough House and Gardens in Co Wicklow and in the Culloden Hotel [in the village of Hollywood just outside Belfast] attracted over 10,000 visitors,” says Oliver Gormley, who expects about 15,000 visitors to this show.
With more than 300 works on display – including artworks in the hotel itself and 90 large sculptures and installations set through the 90 hectare grounds – visitors will be spoiled for choice by the wide range of artistic styles.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/D5CDCR6YMVBKDDCKBWOOI4QHBQ.jpg)
As well as art works by the artists and sculptors that Gormleys represents – including Irish sculptors Ian Pollock, Bob Quinn and Patrick O’Reilly – there will also be a selection of work by younger artists starting out in their career. “There will be works from €600 upwards, a number of pieces for €1,000 and more priced €2,000-€4,000,” says Oliver Gormley.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/5TNIV4Z2DZBNPKAAKX5LPPOGBA.jpg)
Internationally acclaimed artists whose work is for sale include Salvador Dalí, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Damien Hirst. The 1984 Dance of Time II – which Oliver Gormley bought from the Dalí Universe in Switzerland – is the most expensive piece for sale, at €1.125 million. Striking sculptures include Pear, by Swiss sculptor, Christian Schneiter (€75,000); Altalena Grande by Italian sculptor, Giacinto Bosco (€110,000); and For You Who Have Left the Meadow, by Irish sculptor, Ian Pollock (€6,900).
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/RVU2VZBW6RDBLEOBCYHFRWFHJM.jpg)
There will also be daily guided tours of the art and sculpture, as well as a series of talks by artists, Peter Monaghan, Vivienne Roche, Eamonn Ceannt and others whose work is on exhibition. The exhibition continues until June 23rd, and Castlemartyr is offering special rates for Art and Soul overnight stays, afternoon tea and dinner at their two-star Michelin star restaurant, Terre.
Altalena Grande by Italian sculptor Giacinto Bosco
View the full article here- www.irishtimes.com
