Sheen Falls exhibition will also pay tribute to Christine Bowen who has strong connections to the hotel
Following the success of last year’s inaugural exhibition, ‘Art at the Falls’ returns to Sheen Falls Lodge this month, transforming the five-star hotel, gardens and riverside setting into an immersive gallery experience.
Curated by Gormleys, the exhibition brings together leading Irish and international artists, with works by Patrick O’Reilly, Ian Pollock, Mark Rode, Liam O’Neill and Debbie Chapman, alongside internationally recognised names including Andy Warhol, Banksy, Salvador Dalí and Tracey Emin.
“Following the success of Art and Soul, Ireland’s biggest art and sculpture events, held at Castlemartyr Resort in Cork, Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny, The K Club in Kildare and Culloden Estate in Belfast, we are delighted to return to Sheen Falls with this more intimate, curated collection,” said Oliver Gormley of Gormleys.
This year’s exhibition will also feature a special tribute to the late Christine Bowen whose long-standing relationship with Sheen Falls Lodge is reflected in the distinctive artworks displayed throughout the hotel.
Nairobi to Neidín: A Tribute to the Life and Art of Christine Bowen will celebrate her remarkable career and enduring connection to Kerry.
The opening of Art at the Falls will take place on Sunday, September 13 from 3pm, bringing together visual art, conversation, fine dining and opera for an evening celebrating the cultural character of the region.
The programme will begin with welcome drinks, before guests take their seats for a five-course dinner in The Falls Restaurant.
Throughout the dinner, The Art of Conversation will take place in intervals between courses, moderated by Mary McCarthy, Director of Crawford Art Gallery, with exhibiting artists Ian Pollock, Liam O’Neill and Debbie Chapman.
A special tribute to Christine Bowen will also take place during the dinner, reflecting on Bowen’s life.
The evening will continue with a series of special opera performances by Blackwater Valley Opera, presented in intervals throughout dinner, allowing guests to enjoy the performances as part of the dining experience. Wines will be curated by Executive Chef Mark Treacy.
Among the highlights in this year’s exhibition, which will run throughout September and early October, will be striking sculptural works positioned throughout the grounds, creating a poetic dialogue between art and the landscape.
Inside the hotel, prestigious paintings and works on paper will bring the exhibition into the luxurious surroundings of Sheen Falls Lodge, allowing guests and visitors to experience the collection in an intimate environment.
These will include the works of the late Christine Bowen that adorn the hotel, including the commissioned mural on the main reception of St Finan’s well as the striking botanical mural by Bowen which adorns The Falls Restaurant. More of her work can be found throughout the hotel.
The exhibition is free and runs from September 13 to October 12. It is free to visit and will be open to the public daily from 11am to 7pm, subject to private events and selected closures. Ticket are available for the launch this weekend.