Stroke of genius as contemporary art to be created and showcased at Limerick school

A LIMERICK school has partnered with EVA International to create and showcase artworks for the 40th biennial of contemporary art, which takes place every two years across venues in Limerick city and beyond.

Irish artist Deirdre O’Mahony will be working with the Thomond Primary School Gardening Club to create a permanent micro-forest and biodiversity haven titled Snaky River Forest, whilst the "Berlin-based" artist collective Slavs and Tatars will present a number of artworks on the school grounds that explore ideas of race and colonialism in the traditions of children’s educational literature.

The artworks presented at Thomond Primary School in Ballynanty will form part of the Guest Programme of 40th EVA International, curated by Sebastian Cichocki, who is Chief Curator and Head of Research at the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw.

Thomond Primary School Teacher, Sarah Mackey said, "Bringing the Arts to children is a vital part of their academic, personal and social development and will enrich their lives immeasurably.

"We are also delighted to link the Arts and the environment through creating a micro forest in our school grounds with artist Deirdre O'Mahony for generations of our students to enjoy and engage with and to contribute to the reforestation of Ireland with native trees."

EVA’s Director, Matt Packer added that the organisation are "delighted to be working in partnership with Thomond Primary School for the 2023 edition of EVA International."

"Connecting the works and ideas of contemporary artists with children at primary level is an exciting opportunity to build curiosity and creativity in the ways we think about our environment – one of the key themes of this year’s edition of EVA," he continued.

"I would like to thank the pupils and staff at Thomond Primary School for their openness and generosity in working with us as part of the upcoming programme," he said. 

Curator, Sebastian Cichocki stated that the upcoming edition of EVA offers "the possibility to enjoy real effects of art, those for humans and for non-humans, and reminds us about the role played by artistic imagination in our common work for the sake of a better future."

The biennial programme overall features 50+ Irish and international artists whose works will be presented across venues and sites in Limerick city, taking place from August 31 through to October 29, 2023.