Characters play out parts: boys and men are variously represented in all their complexity, absorbed in various moments of reflection and activity.
The artists in this exhibition, all female, observe and reflect on a male presence in the contemporary world. Traditionally, the portrait was generally a record of status, and thus a serious and affluent-looking older man was painted by Sarah Purser, a hundred or more years ago, to reflect some position that is now unknown, forgotten.
There was a very different power dynamic, vision and record of men’s role and reality in society back then; this exhibition takes Sarah Purser’s portrait as the reflection onto which present-day female academicians and invited artists mirror back a different reality.
Sarah Purser was the first female member of the Academy. Known as a cultural force and portrait painter – predominantly of the Irish elite – at the turn of the 20th century. In 1890 the RHA elected Sarah to Honorary Academician status; an HRHA had what she termed ‘slender privileges’, but it was the only recognition then bestowed upon women. In 1923 she was elected ARHA, and as such held her one solo exhibition. She achieved full RHA status in 1924, and co-founded Friends of the National Collections of Ireland.
To acknowledge Sarah Purser’s contribution to Irish society, the show is centered around this generous and edifying new donation to the Academy.
The Academy would like to thank Michael Corrigan HRHA and Mary Kilcullen for this generous donation.
Artists in the exhibition include:
Sarah Purser, IRE, Anne Ryan, UK/IRE, Aly Heyler, UK, Erin Lawlor, UK, Rose Wylie, UK, Kathy Tynan, IRE, Gemma Browne, IRE, Elizabeth Cope, IRE, Laura Buckley, UK/IRE, Monica Lundy, USA, Unskilled Worker/Helen Downie, UK, Geraldine O’Neill RHA, IRE, Maeve McCarthy RHA, IRE, Abigail O’Brien PPRHA, IRE, Amelia Stein RHA, IRE, Eithne Jordan RHA, IRE and Ailbhe Ni Bhrian ARHA, IRE.
Image: Eithne Jordan, Landing III, 73 x 100cm, Image courtesy of the artist.
