Please note CORRECTION to page 31. in the 188th RHA Annual Exhibition catalogue.
The RHA would like to state that Aosdána was not the body responsible for the withdrawal of Patrick Pye’s Cnuas, nor were they the body criticized by the press and fellow artists. The RHA would like to apologise for any confusion arising from the original text.
RHA 188th Annual Exhibition
Welcome to the 188th RHA Annual Exhibition, Ireland’s largest and longest running exhibition of visual art. Open to all artists working in paint, drawing, print, sculpture, photography and architecture, the RHA Annual Exhibition attracts a large public and critical audience with 48,000 visitors last year. With sales in excess of € 490,000 in 2017, the highest since 2008, the Annual is a key event of the art calendar for both public and private buyers of all levels.
Last year it was agreed with exhibiting artists that the RHA would retain 40% commission, in order to raise funds for our outstanding bank payment of € 350,000, due June 2018. This is the next stage of repayment of the loan received by the RHA for the refurbishment of the gallery during 2008. That generous contribution by artists raised € 100,000. To this we can add funds raised from other sources of € 150,000, however we still need to secure the final € 100,000.
So, for this year, during the 188th Annual we are seeking 35% commission from all artists participating in the exhibition, including RHA Members and invited artists, to help us raise the final tranche. By purchasing art in the RHA Annual, you help to support the RHA, the work that we do and support the work of the artists that exhibit in the exhibition.
The open submission is vital to the strength and vitality of the RHA Annual. In 2017, we had over 2,450 entries from 1,389 artists and 2018 is looking to be similarly well subscribed. Selection takes place over five days, with a committee of eight and a rotating staff of 16. Around 13% of artworks entered are selected for exhibition making the process extremely competitive. The RHA relies on the regular commitment of artists who apply year on year and thank them for their submissions and the effort that goes into them. Works selected through the open submission process make up around 60% of the exhibition with the rest of the artworks from RHA Members and invited artists.
Artists invited in 2018 include Alan Butler, Susan MacWilliam, Kathy Tynan, Michael Canning, Mary A. Kelly, Marie Foley, David Eager Maher and Blaise Drummond. All invited artists are listed in the exhibition’s accompanying catalogue.
This year, a prize fund of almost € 55,000, including the RCSI Art Award of € 15,000 combined prize and commission, will be awarded to exhibiting artists. This generous prize fund, one of the largest in Ireland, is awarded to artists recognised for works of achievement. Awards are made to artists at all stages of their careers, from the Hennessy Craig Scholarship of € 10,000 awarded to a painter under 35 to the Hugh Bradley Award for a mid-career artist to the Friends of the RHA Award for a Senior Artist. Medium specific awards are also given for print, photography, architecture, portraiture and sculpture. The RHA would like to gratefully thank the sponsors of these awards for their continuing commitment to the Academy and the exhibiting artists. We hope you enjoy this year’s exhibition!
PRIZE WINNERSOn Sunday 20th May, 2018 the largest artistic prize fund in Ireland, a prize fund of over €55,000 was awarded at the Varnishing Day of the 188th RHA Annual Exhibition. The continued support of our sponsors is greatly appreciated by both the RHA and the recipient artists.
The awards were as follows:
The Ireland – US Council and Irish Arts Review Portraiture Award Awarded to Liz Rackard for Eoghan
The Progressive Vision Curtin O’Donoghue Photography Prize Awarded to Shane Lynam for Le Regal, from Fifty High Seasons
The Progressive Vision Curtin O’Donoghue Emerging Photographic Award Awarded to Sarah Edmondson for Self Portait aged 32, after Caravaggio
The Morgan O’Driscoll Sculpture Award Awarded to John Behan RHA for Ancestral Wheeled Oarboat
The Adam’s Award Awarded to Eve O’Callaghan for Two
The De Veres Art Award for a work of distinction Michael Quane RHA for Buoyed II
The ESB Keating Award and Silver Medal for an outstanding art work Awarded to Ailbhe Barrett for Presence (i)
The K & M Evans Painting Prize Awarded to Eilieen O’Sullivan for Pathways
The Whyte’s Award Awarded to Tom McLean for In two minds – living in the shadow of winter
The ESB Moran Award for Outstanding Sculpture Awarded to Martin Lyttle for Void I
The Friends of the RHA Award for a Senior Artist Awarded to Dave Madigan for Tower of Babel
The Hugh Bradley Award for a mid-career artist in any medium Awarded to Taffina Flood for Howl and Seeing Red
Contemporary Irish Art Society Award for a work of distinction by a sculptor Awarded to Don Cronin for Poiesis
The Graphic Studio Dublin Wilkinson Award Sponsored by Behaviour and Attitudes Awarded to Aoife Scott for Blue Bath
The Solomon Fine Art Award for Sculpture in any medium Awarded to Michael Quane RHA for Buoyed: Carbon Sync
The Don Niccolo d’Ardia Caracciolo Award and Medal Awarded to Gavan McCullough for Imamudin
The Arthur Gibney Award for Architectural Content Awarded to O’Donnell + Tuomey with Joseph Walsh Studio for Unfinished Museum
RCSI Art Award in association with The Irish Times – €15,000 (€5,000 prize & €10,000 commission)
Shortlisted artists, announced on 20 May are:
Michael Quane RHA for Buoyed: Carbon Sync
Jason Ellis for Venus of Hollles Street I
Amelia Stein RHA for Brig. Gen. Jimmy Flynn
Killian Schurman for Extraverted
Taffina Flood for Seeing Red
The recipient will be announced late June.
RHA Gold Medal
Awarded to Margo Dolan and Peter Maxwell, founders of Ballinglen Arts Foundation.
