We were delighted when the Minister for the Arts, Sport & Tourism, Martin Cullen, kindly agreed to open the Secret Garden Exhibtion, making this his first official Visual Arts Event as new Minister! 

To follow a copy of the press release sent out from his department:

MINISTER CULLEN OPENS “THE SECRET GARDEN” SCULPTURE EXHIBITION AT THE IVEAGH GARDENS

Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism this evening (14 May 2008) opened the Secret Garden – an exhibition by the Solomon Gallery which brings together over 100 quality works in bronze, steel, timber and glass, which are now on display in the surrounds of Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens.

 The sculptures are the collective work of over 60 Irish and International sculptors of renown, including British artists Lynn Chadwick (1914-2003), Barry Flanagan, Allen Jones RA and Sean Henry; French artist Bernar Venet; American glass artist Dale Chihuly; and Ireland’s Sonja Landweer, Conor Fallon RHA, Patrick O’Reilly, Vivienne Roche and Michael Warren. The exhibition is set among garden displays by award winning designer Paul Martin.

Speaking this evening at the opening of the exhibition Minister Cullen TD said; “I am greatly impressed by the quality and range of the works on show, which, I am sure, will attract a large and appreciative cross section of art lovers to the Iveagh Gardens over the coming weeks. The works by Irish and international sculptors will have a universal appeal to private collectors and corporate bodies alike.”

Minister Cullen continued; “Cicero once said that "Art is born of the observation and investigation of nature", Suzanne McDougald, of the Solomon Gallery, must have had this in mind, as the setting of the Iveagh Gardens mirrors the detail, form and timelessness of the particular sculptures on show here. The exhibition is to be applauded not only for the platform given to the artists but the location, originality and accessibility of the setting in one of Dublin's heritage sites, boosts the possibility of people coming to view these sculptures and gardens, who ordinarily may not have thought to do so.”

Minister Cullen added; “The promotion of the concept of arts as a socially aware investment is high on my agenda as Minister for the Arts, as I believe exploration of the potential for co-operation between the private and public sector in developing visual arts is critical for Ireland to remain at the forefront creatively and culturally.”

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