21st century Irish art at Solstice

'Noughties but Nice: 21st Century Irish Art at Solstice' is the title of an exhibition that opened recently at Solstice Arts Centre in Navan and continues until Saturday 3rd July. It surveys the extensive terrain of art made in Ireland during the first decade of this millennium. This exhibition selects some of the most exciting contemporary master-works of the 'noughties', including seminal works by 13 leading Irish artists. Audience engagement is a central element of this exhibition; the selection includes high impact works on paper and canvas juxtaposed with digital media, participatory and experiential works. Working with 13 high-profile artists, the exhibition presents a playful and exciting exploration of contemporary art. Experiential works draw audiences into new sensory experiences through Andrew Kearney's room-size pulsating Orb, which responds to sounds outside the gallery and Connolly/Cleary's interactive video installation 'Here & There', placing the viewer within the film. John Shinnors presents his 18-part painting series 'Scarecrow Portraits', which confronts the viewer through strong aesthetic and dramatic scale. Eamon O'Kane investigates production and communal usage inviting the visitor to participate in his DIY furniture design and production studio. Visitors experience Amanda Coogan's iconic documented performance 'Adoration of the Chloe Handbag'. Further reflecting on our obsession with consumerism, Caroline McCarthy and Seamus Nolan make sculptural objects which reveal their fascination with the use of materials discarded by society. The compelling works of Sarah Browne, Joe Duggan and Sean Lynch take very differing, enquiring views on how values are determined in social contexts. Aideen Barry's new film work playfully investigates the effects of personal and societal pressures. Tom Molloy presents a delicate series of cross-stitch portraits of the 45 first women of the USA, and Ciara Finnegan's lyrical documentary film looks at an active age group trying out their ability to dance. The central focus determining this exhibition is visual and sensory excitement for viewers through the representation of a diverse selection of contemporary Irish practice. These works are juxtaposed together because they share an interest in playful exploration of human nature and the human environment through an exciting diversity of mediums. 'Noughties but Nice: 21st Century Irish Art' is produced by Limerick City Gallery of Art as a Arts Council of Ireland Touring Pilot in the Visual Arts. The exhibition premiered in Limerick before touring to Letterkenny Regional Cultural Centre in Donegal, and VISUAL in Carlow. Curated by Mike Fitzpatrick and Susan Holland, the exhibition is accompanied by a full colour catalogue. The Solstice Gallery opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm. Admission is free.