Kilkenny artist Paul Mosse shortlisted for huge prize

A Kilkenny man has been revealed as one of five artists who are in the frame for the most significant award in Irish contemporary art, The Savills Prize. The winner will be announced tomorrow evening (Nov 1) at Vue 2018, Ireland’s national contemporary art fair.

The shortlisted artists are Dubliners Claire Halpin and Janet Mullarney, Cork-born and Galway-based Gordon Harris, Kilkenny’s Paul Mosse and Celbridge native Gabhann Dunne.

The €5,000 Savills Prize is awarded to the artist who has produced an outstanding body of work in the last year or made some other substantial contribution to the visual arts in Ireland.

Vue 2018 takes place at the Royal Hibernian Academy gallery from Thursday, November 1 until Sunday, November 4.

"This is the fourth year the Savills Prize has been presented at Vue and we hope the award will become as important to Irish art as the Turner Prize is in the UK," said Vue 2018 organiser Patrick O’Sullivan.

“Vue 2018 is a great opportunity for collectors and investors to experience some of the best contemporary art currently being created in Ireland, and to get some expert advice and guidance from leading galleries.”

Kilkenny-based Paul Mosse’s work has questioned the cyclical nature of decay and renewal for over 50 years and, indeed, time itself is one of the artist's favourite elements.

Meanwhile, his competitor Gabhan Dunne has been described as one of the best painters of his generation and the limpid colour palette in the Celbridge artist’s work gives it a visionary, almost poetic quality. 

Claire Halpin’s first solo exhibition 'Glomar Response' constituted a milestone in the Dublin artist’s career as it offered viewers a comprehensive survey of her attempt to navigate the complexity of the contemporary theatre of war.

Gordon Harris is internationally recognised for his high-realism figurative work, mainly using the medium of oil on board with gold and silver leaf.

Sculptor Janet Mullarney, from Rathfarnham, learned her traditional woodcarving skills in Italy and since then, has exhibited extensively in both Ireland and abroad.

“There is a long standing relationship between art and property, one which we are delighted to celebrate by supporting this significant event in Ireland’s art scene,” said Angus Potterton, Managing Director, Savills Ireland.

"At Savills we help people acquire their own unique space which they go on to furnish with individual or corporate artistic flair. We always enjoy seeing this great synergy between art and architecture in our profession.”

Galleries participating in Vue 2018 include Graphic Studio Gallery, Gibbons and Nicholas, Sol Art Gallery, Catherine Hammond Fine Art Services, Molesworth Gallery, Stoney Road Press, Hillsboro Fine Art, Oliver Sears Gallery, Peppercannister Gallery, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, SO Fine Art Editions, Solomon Fine Art, Taylor Galleries, Jorgensen Gallery, Olivier Cornet Gallery, Parallel Editions, Black Church Print Studio, Gormleys Fine Art, Green On Red Gallery, RS Sculptures.
Opening hours are 6-8pm on Thursday Nov 1, 11am-7pm on Friday, Nov 2, 11am-6pm on Saturday, Nov 3, and 11-6pm on Sunday, Nov 4.