Remarks at Limerick Art Society 70th Anniversary Winter Exhibition entitled “Limerick Visions”
7 December 2012
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Tá an-áthas orm bheith i bhur láthair ar an ocáid seo. Tá me buíoch dibh as an cuireadh agus an fáilte forchaoin a chur sibh romham.
I am delighted to be back here in Limerick on this wonderful occasion, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Limerick Art Society, and launching the Winter Exhibition “Limerick Visions”.
The title “Limerick Visions” could stir many emotions and imaginings of this historic city. From the times when Limerick was at the centre of the Kingdom of Thomond, through Cromwellian times, to the short lived Limerick Soviet in 1919, and onwards to the Limerick of Frank McCourt’s childhood, this city stands out by any measure.
I rith a staire, tá muintir Luimnigh i ndiaidh bród agus láidreacht a chur in iúl maidir leis an gcathair iontach seo a thógáil dá saoránaigh agus oidhreacht shaibhir a chothú. Inniu, feicimid go bhfuil Luimneach rathúil i mórán réimsí – i ngnó, in oideachas, i spórt, sna healaíona agus sa chultúr.
[The people of Limerick throughout their history have shown pride and strength in building this impressive city for its citizens and nurturing its rich heritage. Today we see that Limerick is successfully pushing out the boundaries in many areas – in business, education, sport, arts, and culture.]
It is the cultural capital of the Mid-West region; home to the Irish Chamber Orchestra, the Irish World Academy of Music Dance, DAGHDHA Dance Company, the Belltable Arts Centre, University Concert Hall and the Millennium Theatre. In addition, the Hunt Museum, which is such an appropriate venue for this important exhibition, has firmly established its reputation for cultural excellence. These are all notable and successful homes of music, theatre and art.
You will be aware of my interest in and appreciation of the arts over many years and the importance of the arts for the development of the person and the community. Creative expression in communities must always be encouraged to surface. The arts afford an opportunity to engage with ideas which uncover something new and undiscovered about us, our possibilities, our culture and our world. The arts truly tell a story of what we are and they can often give us a much needed lift in troubled times.
When I was inaugurated as President of Ireland, I stressed the value of championing creative communities. I believe that encouraging the development of creativity in our communities and ensuring opportunities for self expression, in addition to making a fulfilling citizenship possible, lay the groundwork for sustainable employment in creative industries and enrich our social, cultural and economic development. Creativity, community, citizenship and the employment possibilities of the cultural industries are linked and the achievement of a flourishing society is best advanced when culture is recognized as a central component of our citizenship.
As we are forced to take account of fiscal realities and economic possibilities, it is important that we continue to harness all that is best about our past and sustain our imaginative possibilities by nourishing our cultural richness in its identities and diversities. It is crucial that we retain the contributions and possibilities of the cultural space, a space that is not allowed to become marginal, tangential or even abandoned through lack of resources. The arts occupy a central space in the national psyche. The arts allow us to better understand ourselves through our cultural past and to build a better future through the free exercise of our imagination.
From local arts centres, through national cultural institutions, to stages, screens and bookshops in cities worldwide, Irish art and artists bring a shared meaning and celebration of the human spirit. They also make a distinctive contribution to Ireland’s reputation as a country where innovation and creativity are strongly supported. It is in the work of Irish artists and cultural workers that Ireland’s reputation has been established with world class work, sustained and – despite the occasional failures in other sectors of society – even enhanced.
Cuireann ealaíontóirí cruth agus deilbh ar idéil agus ar idéanna. Ach ní féidir leo sin a dhéanamh mura dtugtar an spás agus an t-am dóibh. Is réamhchoinníoll bunúsach é do chruthú na healaíne uile go gcruthaítear spás chun análaithe agus oibre le deis smaointe agus ghníomhaithe a thabhairt d’ealaíontóirí.
[Artists give form to ideals and ideas. But they can do so only when given the space and time. Creating space to breathe and work; giving artists time to think and act is an essential precondition to the creation of all art.]
The arts have always been vibrant in Limerick. It accommodates and sustains areas of creative activity from dance to drama, music to mime and painting to photography. The wonderful architecture of Limerick – which includes a magnificent Georgian area – as well as its ancient heritage has formed a cultural context and an inspirational topography for many of its famous sons and daughters. These include writers Frank McCourt,
Kate O’Brien, Michael Curtin and The Bard of Thomond – Michael Hogan; poets Michael Hartnett and John Francis O’Donnell; painter Seán Keating; and composer Bill Whelan to name but a few. I myself am an admirer of the work of Jack Donovan and acknowledge his great contribution to the education and development of the visual arts.
And Limerick Art Society carries on this proud tradition. The Society was founded in 1942 by Dr. Robert Wyse Jackson, Church of Ireland Bishop of Limerick, in an era when a Europe at war was tearing itself apart, and our own country was still in the relative infancy of its independence. In 1951 the Society was re-established by devotees such as Ms. Dolly Stewart,
Frank Colbert, Stan Downing and Phil Andrews. Dr. Wyse Jackson continued to serve as President until 1970 and Dr. Edward M. Walsh then took over the reins in 1971.
As you all know, Dr Walsh was a founding President of the Limerick National Institute of Higher Education and subsequently the University of Limerick, the first new University established in this State. In 1983, Dr. Walsh was succeeded by Dr. Thomas Ryan, whose love for his native city and his total commitment to the Society is well known. 2013 will see the 30th anniversary at the helm for Dr. Thomas Ryan and I offer my particular congratulations to him for this wonderful achievement. The Society is without doubt in safe hands.
And of course, I cannot mention the Limerick Arts Society without reference to my former colleague the late Jim Kemmy, who was a long-time friend and supporter of the Society. Described by Professor Gearoid O Tuathaigh as “Stonemason and socialist, trade unionist and political activist, writer and historian, parliamentarian and humanist “, Jim Kemmy was a true son of Limerick. The former two-time Mayor is remembered today through the Kemmy Business School and the Jim Kemmy Municipal Museum. And of course by your society’s Memorial Trophy in his name, which is awarded for excellence in art, loyal service and dedication.
I note that the aim of the Limerick Art Society is “To bring art to people of all walks of life, to help beginners as well as accomplished artists to achieve artistic excellence”, and that your theme for this landmark year is “Courage to be Creative”. I think on both fronts, you have more than met your aims.
The quality and range of the works on show here set a benchmark in excellence. This should be no surprise from what is the oldest Art Society in the country. The enthusiasm, commitment, talent and dedication of your founding members 70 years ago have provided a solid foundation which has inspired all of you during the intervening years and which you are committed to maintain. It is a demonstration of what arts in the broader sense should be about – a passionate shared interest in a particular area of life by members drawn from every level of society, all with a keen interest in the arts.
The medium of painting constantly surprises. What can sometimes appear to be a chaotic entanglement of colours finally turns out to be a universe which follows its own specific and dynamic patterns. Painting and drawing are the means by which personal sensibility seeks direct expression in art. And what a magnificent and diverse array of artistic output we have on display here. This exhibition reflects the skills and vision of the artists involved. It celebrates the uniqueness of the artist. I know that each of these artworks was created in a very personal way and I’m sure that each work has a very individual story to tell. This is a celebration of the individuality and uniqueness of all people, and how they interact with the world and environment around them.
And what an exciting time lies ahead for the city of Limerick as it prepares to be the National City of Culture in 2014. I know that this Society, and the many other arts institutions and organisations in Limerick, will play a key part in celebrating all that is good about Limerick art and culture. Without question, 2014 will be of great benefit to Limerick. The valuable contribution that art makes to cultural tourism on the island of Ireland cannot be understated. It is the locally based arts facilities in the cities, villages and countryside throughout Ireland that offer visitors to these shores the real, authentic experiences they come searching for. A survey conducted by the Irish Times found that most visitors to this island come to engage with our cultural heritage – our traditional music, our writers, our indigenous sports and most of all our people.
Agus clabhsúr á chur go luath ar chomóradh bhur seachtó bliain, is féidir libh féachaint siar ar an dá mhí dhéag atá caite le mórtas agus le sásamh. Agus sibh ag obair i bpáirt le heagraíochtaí éagsúla, leithéidí Sheirbhís Chuardaigh agus Tarrthála Muirí Luimnigh agus Ollscoil Luimnigh, léirítear an t-ardmheas atá ag muintir na cathrach ar Chumann Ealaíne Luimnigh, agus go deimhin an cion atá acu air. Agus más comhartha ar bith an chéad seachtó bliain, tá todhchaí mhaith i ndán do bhur n-eagraíocht iontach.
[As your 70th Anniversary celebrations draw to a close, you can look back on the last 12 months with a great degree of pride and satisfaction. Working during the year with organisations as diverse as Limerick Marine Search and Rescue and the University of Limerick, shows the high regard and indeed affection with which Limerick Art Society is held in the city. And if the first 70 years are any indicator, the future for your wonderful organisation looks very bright.]
The wealth of experience and abundance of talent gathered together in this exhibition is inspiring and you can all be very proud of what you’ve achieved. It was WB Yeats who reminded us that “Art bids us touch and taste and hear and see the world”. It is organisations such as the Limerick Art Society that offer everyone, regardless of ability or material means, to do just this and I would like to congratulate you all for this inclusivity. I know that this exhibition is already a stand out event on the Limerick, and indeed the Irish Artistic calendar, and I have no doubt that it will be for many years to come.
In conclusion, I think it is appropriate to finish with the words of a Limerick poet, Michael Hartnett, whose own legacy is celebrated in the Éigse poetry event each year, and to which I have had the honour of contributing on two occasions. In “The person as Dreamer: We talk about the Future”, Hartnett wrote:
“It has to be a hill,
High, of course, and twilit.
There have to be some birds,
All sadly audible:
A necessary haze,
And small wristlets of rain,
yes, and a tremendous
air of satisfaction.
Both of us will be old
And both our wives, of course
have died, young, and tragic.
And all our children have
gone their far ways, estranged,
or else not begotten.
We have been through a war,
been hungry, and heroes:
And here we are now, calm,
fed, and reminiscent.
The hills are old, silent:
our pipe-smoke rises up.
We have come a long way…”
Míle buíochas dhíbh go léir.