Sample-Studios TACTIC Visual Arts Programme would like to invite artists to submit work for the upcoming exhibition Oileán: The Island in Cork, May 2020.

Oileán  will be a series of curated exhibitions to be held in various venues in Cork city and county in May and is part the Cork Harbour Festival 2020. This open call asks: can art provide a conversation about our future as an island nation in a time of uncertain political, economic and climatic changes? Oileán aims to navigate, discuss and re-frame island life.

The exhibition will be curated by Sinéad Barrett, recipient of the 2019 curatorial residency award. The artists will be selected from an open call for art. Artists’ submissions may include sculpture, paint, print, film, photography, drawing, performance, ceramics, textiles and new media.

Background 

Ireland became isolated from mainland Europe through rising sea levels before the last ice age leaving it as an island with approximately 80 smaller islands, 20 of which are still inhabited. Ireland has strong traditions, heritage and culture, however it has undergone many changes in the last fifty years – agriculture, education, fisheries, industry, language, lifestyle, religion, and tourism. The uncertainty of Brexit and the fear and reality of climate change should have us asking questions about the future of island life. 

An island can provide solace from the sea and from the landscape. The water can give wonder and awe though recreational activities while also providing economic returns through fishing and trade. On an island you are surrounded and yet detached. TACTIC invites artists to submit works in all media that relate to ideas of heritage, landscape, identity, and our future. Artists submitting work should consider what does being an island nation mean. 

EXHIBITION DETAILS

Oileán will be held in different venues in Cork city and county from 13- 24 May 2020 and will be part of the Cork Harbour Festival 2020. Venues include: The Lord Mayor’s Pavilion (Fitzgerald’s Park), Camden Fort and Spike Island. 

SELECTION PROCESS

This exhibition is curated by Sinead Barrett. Submissions will also be subject to a panel from TACTIC Visual Arts Programme. Projects will be assessed according to the merit of proposals and their relationship to the theme. We encourage applications from artists at all stages of their careers. 

SUBMISSIONS

Artist’s work should be (but not exclusively limited to): sculpture, paint, print, film, photography, drawing, performance, ceramics, textiles and new media.

Artists will receive a fee if included for exhibition.

Artists will have to organise delivery and collection of works. Art delivery deadline is 28 April 2020.

Application Deadline: Midnight, Sunday 1 March, 2020. No submission fee. Applicants will be notified of selection by 27 March, 2020.