PUBLIC ART IN KILKENNYALL PHOTOGRAPHS BY WILLIAM MURPHY
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ABOUT PUBLIC ART IN KILKENNY
Kilkenny has a vibrant and evolving public art scene, with a strong commitment from Kilkenny County Council to integrate art into the public realm and engage communities.
Kilkenny County Council's Vision and Strategy
Kilkenny County Council plays a pivotal role in commissioning and supporting public art. Their vision is to ensure that residents and visitors alike can experience "captivating, challenging, culturally diverse high-quality public art projects." They aim to commission professional artists to create works that inspire thought, strengthen communities, and encourage inclusivity. This approach aligns Kilkenny with national and international best practices in the field.
The Council's Public Arts Programme 2024-2027 is a significant commitment, allocating €500,000 to new public art projects. This program is guided by the Public Arts Management Group (PAMG) and emphasizes engaging directly with the people of Kilkenny, placing their experiences, voices, and traditions at the heart of the creative process.
They also have a broader Cultural Strategy for Arts, Heritage and Libraries (2018-2022, with a new Creative Ireland Culture and Creativity Strategy 2023-2027), which underscores the social and economic value of culture and its role in community wellbeing, social cohesion, and economic growth.
Funding Public Art in Kilkenny
A major source of funding for public art commissions in Kilkenny is the Government Per Cent for Art Scheme. This national initiative allocates 1% of the cost of publicly funded capital, infrastructural, and building developments to commissioning art. Kilkenny County Council also offers various grants and awards through its Arts Office, including the Creative Ireland Grants Scheme, which supports innovative creative and cultural projects.
Recent and Upcoming Public Art Projects
Kilkenny County Council recently announced five new, bold public art commissions as part of their 2024-2027 program, representing an investment of over €450,000. These projects were chosen from a highly competitive selection process and aim to deeply engage with local communities. They span multiple disciplines, including film, dance, theatre, visual arts, and literature, moving beyond traditional ideas of public art as just statues or sculptures.
Some of the successful commissions include:
Brown Mountain Diamond: A residency program and exhibition featuring five artists renowned for community engagement and social investigation, based in North Kilkenny. This project involves artists taking up month-long residencies and working with local community groups.
Pauline O'Connell – From Hide to Heel: A socially engaged project and cinematic journey exploring the intertwined histories of Kilkenny's industrial and agricultural heritage, specifically focusing on Padmore & Barnes and the old Cattle Mart.
Asylum Productions – The Alice Project: An ambitious, multi-part theatrical work exploring the legend of Alice Kyteler and Petronella, inviting community participation.
Fearghus Ó Conchúir – Extra Time: A dance film celebrating Kilkenny's hurling and camogie traditions, uniting athletes and performers from across the county.
Straymaker – CÓRA: A multi-disciplinary project blending choral music, documentary, poetry, design, and animation to create an evocative film about the heritage of Irish healing practices.
These projects demonstrate Kilkenny's commitment to diverse and innovative public art that fosters community engagement and explores various aspects of the county's history, culture, and identity.
Notable Public Artworks and Initiatives
While the focus is shifting towards more dynamic and community-led projects, Kilkenny also has existing public art within its landscape. While specific notable permanent sculptures might not be widely documented as individual tourist attractions, the city itself, with its medieval architecture and vibrant arts scene (including institutions like the Butler Gallery and National Craft Gallery), offers a rich artistic environment. Past initiatives like the Kilkenny Cat Walk Trail, which featured decorated cat sculptures in public spaces, have also brought art directly to the public.
In summary, public art in Kilkenny is characterized by a forward-thinking approach, strong institutional support, diverse artistic disciplines, and a deep commitment to community engagement and collaboration.
FLIGHT NUMBER 2
BY ALAN COUNIHAN
Based in County Kilkenny, Ireland, Alan Counihan is a highly regarded Irish artist primarily known for his work with stone, particularly Kilkenny marble and limestone. He also masterfully incorporates other materials such as bone, wood, and chains into his pieces.
THE THINKING MAN
I AM NOT CONVINCED
Despite numerous attempts to identify this sculpture, including reverse image searches and further research, I remain unconvinced that it is "The Thinking Man" by Tighe O'Donoghue.
IS THIS A BIRD BATH
OR A SCULPTURE
The striking object in this photograph, located along the Canal Walk in Kilkenny, has sparked curiosity and various interpretations. While two children at play humorously referred to it as a "crashed rocket" – an understandable observation given its conical shape and dark, seemingly "burned" appearance – its true identity remains a subject of speculation.
THE BUTLER GALLERY
WELL WORTH A VISIT
The Butler Gallery, a prominent contemporary art gallery and museum in Kilkenny, Ireland, is now housed in the historic Evans' Home, a building with a rich and diverse past spanning over 800 years.
KILKENNY SLANT
BY PHILLIP KING
"Slant" is a brilliant illustration of King's early work from the 1960s, a pivotal period during which he emerged as a leading figure in the "New Generation" of British sculptors. The sculpture comprises a series of interlocking geometric forms – specifically, open frames or quadrilaterals – vibrant with contrasting colours of blue and red.
THOMAS WOODGATE MEMORIAL
ON BATEMAN QUAY
The Thomas Woodgate Memorial on Bateman Quay in Kilkenny is a powerful and intricately designed sculpture that commemorates Thomas Woodgate, the youngest Irishman of the Allied Forces to be killed by enemy fire during World War I.
VOID ANCHORED
STEEL SCULPTURE BY MICHAEL WARREN
Michael Warren (born 1950 in Gorey, County Wexford, Ireland) is a renowned Irish sculptor known for his site-specific public art installations. He was inspired by his art teacher, Oisín Kelly, at St. Columba's College, leading him to study at Bath Academy of Art, Trinity College, Dublin, and the Accademia di Brera in Milan from 1971–75. He now resides and works in County Wexford.
ABOUT PUBLIC ART IN KILKENNY
Kilkenny has a vibrant and evolving public art scene, with a strong commitment from Kilkenny County Council to integrate art into the public realm and engage communities.
Kilkenny County Council's Vision and Strategy
Kilkenny County Council plays a pivotal role in commissioning and supporting public art. Their vision is to ensure that residents and visitors alike can experience "captivating, challenging, culturally diverse high-quality public art projects." They aim to commission professional artists to create works that inspire thought, strengthen communities, and encourage inclusivity. This approach aligns Kilkenny with national and international best practices in the field.
The Council's Public Arts Programme 2024-2027 is a significant commitment, allocating €500,000 to new public art projects. This program is guided by the Public Arts Management Group (PAMG) and emphasizes engaging directly with the people of Kilkenny, placing their experiences, voices, and traditions at the heart of the creative process.
They also have a broader Cultural Strategy for Arts, Heritage and Libraries (2018-2022, with a new Creative Ireland Culture and Creativity Strategy 2023-2027), which underscores the social and economic value of culture and its role in community wellbeing, social cohesion, and economic growth.
Funding Public Art in Kilkenny
A major source of funding for public art commissions in Kilkenny is the Government Per Cent for Art Scheme. This national initiative allocates 1% of the cost of publicly funded capital, infrastructural, and building developments to commissioning art. Kilkenny County Council also offers various grants and awards through its Arts Office, including the Creative Ireland Grants Scheme, which supports innovative creative and cultural projects.
Recent and Upcoming Public Art Projects
Kilkenny County Council recently announced five new, bold public art commissions as part of their 2024-2027 program, representing an investment of over €450,000. These projects were chosen from a highly competitive selection process and aim to deeply engage with local communities. They span multiple disciplines, including film, dance, theatre, visual arts, and literature, moving beyond traditional ideas of public art as just statues or sculptures.
Some of the successful commissions include:
Brown Mountain Diamond: A residency program and exhibition featuring five artists renowned for community engagement and social investigation, based in North Kilkenny. This project involves artists taking up month-long residencies and working with local community groups.
Pauline O'Connell – From Hide to Heel: A socially engaged project and cinematic journey exploring the intertwined histories of Kilkenny's industrial and agricultural heritage, specifically focusing on Padmore & Barnes and the old Cattle Mart.
Asylum Productions – The Alice Project: An ambitious, multi-part theatrical work exploring the legend of Alice Kyteler and Petronella, inviting community participation.
Fearghus Ó Conchúir – Extra Time: A dance film celebrating Kilkenny's hurling and camogie traditions, uniting athletes and performers from across the county.
Straymaker – CÓRA: A multi-disciplinary project blending choral music, documentary, poetry, design, and animation to create an evocative film about the heritage of Irish healing practices.
These projects demonstrate Kilkenny's commitment to diverse and innovative public art that fosters community engagement and explores various aspects of the county's history, culture, and identity.
Notable Public Artworks and Initiatives
While the focus is shifting towards more dynamic and community-led projects, Kilkenny also has existing public art within its landscape. While specific notable permanent sculptures might not be widely documented as individual tourist attractions, the city itself, with its medieval architecture and vibrant arts scene (including institutions like the Butler Gallery and National Craft Gallery), offers a rich artistic environment. Past initiatives like the Kilkenny Cat Walk Trail, which featured decorated cat sculptures in public spaces, have also brought art directly to the public.
In summary, public art in Kilkenny is characterized by a forward-thinking approach, strong institutional support, diverse artistic disciplines, and a deep commitment to community engagement and collaboration.
Kilkenny has a vibrant and evolving public art scene, with a strong commitment from Kilkenny County Council to integrate art into the public realm and engage communities.
Kilkenny County Council's Vision and Strategy
Kilkenny County Council plays a pivotal role in commissioning and supporting public art. Their vision is to ensure that residents and visitors alike can experience "captivating, challenging, culturally diverse high-quality public art projects." They aim to commission professional artists to create works that inspire thought, strengthen communities, and encourage inclusivity. This approach aligns Kilkenny with national and international best practices in the field.
The Council's Public Arts Programme 2024-2027 is a significant commitment, allocating €500,000 to new public art projects. This program is guided by the Public Arts Management Group (PAMG) and emphasizes engaging directly with the people of Kilkenny, placing their experiences, voices, and traditions at the heart of the creative process.
They also have a broader Cultural Strategy for Arts, Heritage and Libraries (2018-2022, with a new Creative Ireland Culture and Creativity Strategy 2023-2027), which underscores the social and economic value of culture and its role in community wellbeing, social cohesion, and economic growth.
Funding Public Art in Kilkenny
A major source of funding for public art commissions in Kilkenny is the Government Per Cent for Art Scheme. This national initiative allocates 1% of the cost of publicly funded capital, infrastructural, and building developments to commissioning art. Kilkenny County Council also offers various grants and awards through its Arts Office, including the Creative Ireland Grants Scheme, which supports innovative creative and cultural projects.
Recent and Upcoming Public Art Projects
Kilkenny County Council recently announced five new, bold public art commissions as part of their 2024-2027 program, representing an investment of over €450,000. These projects were chosen from a highly competitive selection process and aim to deeply engage with local communities. They span multiple disciplines, including film, dance, theatre, visual arts, and literature, moving beyond traditional ideas of public art as just statues or sculptures.
Some of the successful commissions include:
Brown Mountain Diamond: A residency program and exhibition featuring five artists renowned for community engagement and social investigation, based in North Kilkenny. This project involves artists taking up month-long residencies and working with local community groups.
Pauline O'Connell – From Hide to Heel: A socially engaged project and cinematic journey exploring the intertwined histories of Kilkenny's industrial and agricultural heritage, specifically focusing on Padmore & Barnes and the old Cattle Mart.
Asylum Productions – The Alice Project: An ambitious, multi-part theatrical work exploring the legend of Alice Kyteler and Petronella, inviting community participation.
Fearghus Ó Conchúir – Extra Time: A dance film celebrating Kilkenny's hurling and camogie traditions, uniting athletes and performers from across the county.
Straymaker – CÓRA: A multi-disciplinary project blending choral music, documentary, poetry, design, and animation to create an evocative film about the heritage of Irish healing practices.
These projects demonstrate Kilkenny's commitment to diverse and innovative public art that fosters community engagement and explores various aspects of the county's history, culture, and identity.
Notable Public Artworks and Initiatives
While the focus is shifting towards more dynamic and community-led projects, Kilkenny also has existing public art within its landscape. While specific notable permanent sculptures might not be widely documented as individual tourist attractions, the city itself, with its medieval architecture and vibrant arts scene (including institutions like the Butler Gallery and National Craft Gallery), offers a rich artistic environment. Past initiatives like the Kilkenny Cat Walk Trail, which featured decorated cat sculptures in public spaces, have also brought art directly to the public.
In summary, public art in Kilkenny is characterized by a forward-thinking approach, strong institutional support, diverse artistic disciplines, and a deep commitment to community engagement and collaboration.