Donegal artist in unique exhibition at the national archives
 

A unique exhibition of work in progress opens today at the National Archives featuring new and original artwork from artist-in-residence, John Beattie, who while now Dublin based, is a native of Donegal.  

The exhibition explores new perspectives on archival material relating to the 1921-1923 period entitled ‘Reperforming State Memory – Work in Progress’.  

John Beattie’s art practice takes the form of still and moving-image staged productions.

He examines and re-presents historical events and narratives using a range of imaging technologies, in a way that reveals or makes visible new perspectives on familiar subjects.

Reperforming State Memory, Beattie’s two-year project with the National Archives, seeks to engage with its collections and its role in preserving the records of the State, and to work collaboratively with staff to explore different modes of display and representations of archive material. Over the course of his residency, Beattie creates work that re-stages and brings to life a series of historical narratives and events from the period 1912-1923.

Taking the National Archives, The Treaty 1921: Records from the Archives exhibition, Beattie documented the installation of the exhibition and presents a ‘behind-the-scenes’ view of the making of the exhibition presented as a 3-screen video installation in the National Archives’ foyer. In addition, Beattie has constructed an experimental work outside the National Archives’ Reading Room, which combines traditional display methods with new imaging technologies to explore new ways of presenting fragile archival records.

John Beattie is a visual artist, originally from Donegal, and currently based in Dublin.

He has exhibited widely nationally and internationally, and is currently working towards his solo exhibition Reconstructing Mondrian at the Hugh Lane Gallery in 2023. Recently, Beattie exhibited new work for the Living Canvas project – a new cultural initiative and outdoor LED screen installed at Wilton Park, Dublin, commissioned by IPUT Real Estate, in collaboration with the RHA, DCC Arts Office, and Algorithm.

Still and moving-image productions include: PERFORMING NGI.988 (2016), produced for the 1916 State commemorations in collaboration with the National Gallery of Ireland, the ESB Centre for the Study of Irish Art, and The LAB Gallery, Dublin; and An Artist, The Studio, and all the rest… (2006-2012), a two part cinematic moving-image production, exhibited at The Royal Hibernian Academy.

Since 2013, Beattie has been researching, producing and directing a new body of work titled RECONSTRUCTING MONDRIAN (2013-2020), based on Piet Mondrian’s original Paris studio from 1921-1936, in collaboration with The Gemeentemuseum, Den Haag, The Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin, and the Foundation Reconstruction of Mondrian’s Studio, The Netherlands.

Beattie has been awarded a number of residencies to date, including the Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris, 2020; the apexart Fellowship, New York, 2015; IMMA, Dublin, 2011; Temple Bar Gallery & Studio, Dublin, 2010; the RHA, Dublin, 2010; and Fire Station Artists’ Studios, Dublin, 2006-2009.

John Beattie was appointed Artist in Residence in the National Archives in 2021 as part of the Government of Ireland’s Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023 Programme.

For further information about John Beattie and his work: www.johnbeattie.ie