Northern Ireland

ARTISTS FOR VENICE BIENNALE 2005

The selected artists are:

Patrick Bloomer, Ian Charlesworth, Factotum, Seamus Harahan, Michael Hogg, Sandra Johnston, Nicholas Keogh, Katrina Moorhead, Darren Murray, Mary McIntyre, William McKeown, Aisling O'Beirn, Peter Richards and Alistair Wilson.

Northern Ireland's participation in the Venice Biennale represents a unique opportunity to showcase the very best of Northern Irish artists to an international audience. In this first presentation the curator Hugh Mulholland has chosen to present a comprehensive group exhibition in two parts. The first strand an exhibition of new work in the magnificent galleries at the Institute Santa Maria della Pietà, a short distance from the historic St Marks Square, will run throughout the duration of the Biennale (June - November). The second strand, involving site-specific installations, performance, live events and screenings, will take place during the autumn to coincide with a major international symposium on contemporary art, part of the main Biennale programme.

The Curator, Hugh Mulholland says "This is an amazing opportunity for the artists represented here to capitalise on the exposure that participation in the Biennale will offer.  It will also bring Northern Ireland to the attention of international curators and critics, which I hope will have even greater long-term benefits for many more artists working here who contribute to what is an exciting and vibrant visual-arts sector here".

Northern Ireland's participation in Venice is being funded by The British Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.