Amna Walayat | In the Name of Shame Series | 2021 | Indo-Persian traditional miniature painting. Tea wash, pencil, Water Colour and Gouache, Neem rung (half tone) on Wasli paper 

For Culture night 2023 the Arts Council will once again proudly showcase a selection of works recently added to its extensive Visual Art Collection.

To celebrate the evening we are sharing some insight on each of the artist and artworks which will be on display:

‘This self portrait series “In the name of shame” is a performative act where I am silently protesting against violence against women. Female’s heads are shaved, braid cropped, nose chopped, strangled with rope or their scarfs or expressing her rights for bring shame to the family or society. Braid, nose ring for bride, scarf are on one hand symbol of beauty but on the other express control on them or their bodies.’

Amna Walayat is interested in hybrid culture through her personal experience as well as past and contemporary narratives of othering. Her practice explores the imagery and techniques of traditional and neo-Indo-Persian miniature painting, expressing her work with her position as a migrant woman. Her recent projects include an investigation on abortion rights in a multicultural context and a response to the theme of displacement and citizenship.

Amna Walayat is a Pakistani-born visual artist settled in Cork, Ireland after living six years in UK and France. She is M.A. Modern and Contemporary Art History Theory and Criticism from UCC (2016) and M.A. Fine Arts from University of Punjab (2002). She has worked with National Art Gallery as Programme Organisor and Lahore Arts Council as Curator in Pakistan.   She is a recipient of many awards from Arts Council Ireland Including Next Generation Award 2021.

The Arts Council Collection was established in 1962 and now comprises almost 1,350 works of modern and contemporary Irish art.

This year we are delighted to once again welcome audiences to the Arts Council buildings on Merrion Square to engage with some our most recent acquisitions.

Works by many of Ireland’s leading artists will be shown on the night including pieces by: Elizabeth Cope, Miriam De Búrca, Mollie Douthit, Justin Fitzpatrick, Marie Holohan, Helen Hughes, Catriona Leahy, Jialin Long, Kevin Mooney, Doireann Ní Ghrioghair, Emma Roche, Mark Swords, Amna Walayat and Orla Whelan.

As well as this glimpse into the Arts Council Collection for Culture Night, artworks can be seen all year round throughout the country as part of exhibitions and long term loans in public buildings such as hospitals, universities and schools.

Explore the Collection and more on our website here.