Through Our Eyes: Belfast/New York

New York City Artists Partner with Belfast Artists to Foster Open Dialogue Within the Downtown Community

Artist Exchange International (AEI) presents Part I of a two-part exhibition Through Our Eyes: Belfast/New York at The Painting Center from September 5 to 30, 2006, with a panel discussion and film screening held at Pace University. Thirteen artists will travel from Belfast to participate in the exhibition. In October, 14 artists from New York City will travel to Ireland to exhibit and participate in Part II at the Metro Center in Belfast.

Through Our Eyes: Belfast

Opening Reception on Saturday, September 9, 6:00-8:00 pm
The Painting Center 52 Greene Street, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10013. Tel: 212-343-1060

These 13 artists from Belfast comprise some of Northern Ireland's most prominent artists. The Northern Irish artists are a range of practitioners including those whose work spanned and evolved during the period of the Troubles, and continued post ceasefire (Ray Duncan, Jack Pakenham, Rita Duffy); those who are not native to Northern Ireland but now live and work there (Ima Pico, Adele Pound, Acitore Artizone, Peter Richards, Emma Connolly) and those who were born into and grew up with the Troubles (Gail Ritchie, Ruth McCullough, William Artt, Claire Whitten, Jennifer Trouton). Together, these thirteen artists show work, which is strong in its evocation of memorial, ritual and emblem and offers a fresh insight into a transitional period of time in Irish History. Author Paul Muldoon will open the exhibition.

Artist-to-Artist Studio Tour

Sunday, September 10, from 11-4 pm
Conversation in the Studios: NYC Artists with discussion by Belfast Artists
Locations to be announced at: www.artistexchangeinternational.com

This studio tour is an opportunity to participate in the discussion between the New York City artists who instigated the exchange and the Belfast artists who are here for the first exhibition at The Painting Center. The New York City artists are: Barbara Friedman, Gwenn Thomas, Maura Sheehan, Katy Martin, Bill Brand, Sandi Slone, Mimi Gross, Jo Wood-Brown, Ross Neher, Michael Zwack, Edward Shalala, April Vollmer, Robert Janz, Mark O'Grady.

Pace University Screening and Panel

A Visual Conversation Between Belfast and New York City Artists
Tuesday, September 12, 2006 from 4:00-7:00 pm
Pace University Screening Media Room, Student Union B Level, 1 Pace Plaza

A Screening of film, video and stills of art create a virtual look at the contemporary world, seen as a conversation between Belfast and New York artists. Organized by Bill Brand and Jo Wood-Brown. The screening precedes the panel.

Pace University Panel

5:00-7:00 pm
Multipurpose Room, B Level, 1 Pace Plaza
National Identity Vs. Ethnic Identity: How Artists See Their Role In Culture

Presented by the Institute for American Irish Studies at Pace University and the Artist Exchange International. The panel is made up of Belfast artists and Liam Kelly, Professor at the University of Ulster and author of "Thinking Long: Contemporary Art in Northern Ireland." Chris Cahill of the Institute for American Irish Studies at Pace University opens up the discussion to issues that directly affect the New York community: How are the calls of ethnic, regional, and national identity heard by the artists? Is the artist obliged to heed, or to evade, those calls? Must art respond to situations of local and international political violence? In what ways might the artist's response to such crises and calamities differ from the responses of other citizens? Does the artistic response to the longstanding violence of the Northern Irish "Troubles" hold lessons for how New York artists might respond to the ongoing ramifications of the September 11 attacks?

All events are free and open to the public. Dress is casual. Refreshments will be served at the Gallery opening and the Artist Studio tour. Please come ready for conversation.