Rajinder Singh | Point at a passing migrant bird with a raised locked arm and an open palm | 2020

Scavenged wood, wooden clamps jesomite, vinyl tape | 120 x 120cm

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:

“There are nine separate pieces in this sculpture, each based on the bird trap. Each ‘trap’ features a little ‘stone’ bird I call teenage martins. They are de-winged, persecuted poor things with no feet.” 

“My little stone birds represent the desperate migrant in search of landfall having travelled far and through unimaginable hardship in search of safety.

The disturbing image of a wingless, feetless migrant bird brings Audre Lorde to mind: ‘Wherever the bird with no feet flew, she found trees with no limbs’. My wingless, feetless teenage martins found only bird traps in the shape of migrant detention centres all around Ireland, forever stuck between a violent past and an uncertain future.”

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.