Marcel Vidal | Balcony | 2017 | Expanding foam, spray paint, wood, watercolour on paper, framed with glass bitumen, zinc fittings, castor wheels, animal hooves, glue, twine, linen, plaster | 196 x 62 x 62 cm

For Culture night 2022 the Arts Council will maintain its proud tradition of showcasing a selection of works recently added to its extensive Visual Art Collection.

This year we are delighted to once again welcome audiences to share these works in person at the Arts Council’s buildings in Dublin as part of Culture night.

Works by many of Irelands most distinguished and celebrated artists will be shown on the night including recently acquired pieces by: Helen Blake, Vivienne Dick, Eleanor Duffin, Paul Hallahan, Andreas Kindler Von Knobloch, Vera Klute, Colm Mac Athlaoich, Leanne McDonagh, Rajinder Singh, Kathy Tynan, Suzanne Walsh and Marcel Vidal.

The works on show from the Collection showcase the Arts Councils ongoing commitment to purchasing excellent and ambitious works of art which reflect the amazing standard of contemporary Irish visual arts practice and which both engage with and represent Ireland today.

In addition to the artworks on display in Merrion Square on the night the Arts Council Collection can also be seen throughout the country as part of ongoing exhibitions and long term display in public buildings such as hospitals, universities and schools.

For those who won’t be able to visit in person on the night we are sharing some insight on each of the artist and artworks which will be on display:

Marcel Vidal’s practice includes paintings and sculptures. He works intuitively with a variety of materials, constructing distinctive sculptures that often stage and frame his paintings. His approach to sculpture and its assembled chaos and combative insistence is strongly contrasted by his paintings. Vidal's paintings are restrained, often withholding information through rigorous cropping in an attempt to frustrate interpretation. Vidal is the 2019 winner of The Hennessy Craig Award from the RHA.

Vidal’s sculptures encompass contrasting and combative textures and materials: furs, feathers, or deer hooves mixed with assembled wood, concrete, or industrial metal hardware. Chains, spikes, and pest prevention devices are rigged up for attack or defence, echoing the hostility of urban space and inner-city infrastructure.

Since 1962, the Arts Council has been buying art from working artists. The Collection that evolved tells the story of modern and contemporary Irish visual art in a unique and fascinating way. Today the Collection continues to grow and its almost 1,300 paintings, sculptures and other works are on display in public spaces all over Ireland for people to experience and enjoy first hand.

Explore the Collection and more on our website here.