Eimear Walshe's ROMANTIC IRELAND at Venice Biennale
Eimear Walshe represents the Republic of Ireland at the 60th Venice Biennale with the exhibition ROMANTIC IRELAND, a multi-TV video installation set into earth-built walls and soundtracked by an opera. The opera, created with composer Amanda Feery, explores the material legacy of colonialism and eviction in Ireland, focusing on a 1940s eviction scene where an old man's house is demolished around him. Walshe critiques the Biennale's geopolitical format, noting that Italy recognizes Ireland but not Palestine, and emphasizes the importance of international solidarity. She cites influences from artists like Sarah Browne, Dylan Kerr, and Wael Shawky, whose Egyptian pavilion she looks forward to seeing. The Biennale runs from 20 April to 24 November 2024.
Key facts
- Eimear Walshe represents Ireland at the 60th Venice Biennale.
- Exhibition titled ROMANTIC IRELAND is a multi-TV video installation.
- Installation includes earth-built walls and an opera soundtrack.
- Opera composed by Amanda Feery with libretto by Walshe.
- Opera set in a 1940s eviction scene in Ireland.
- Walshe criticizes the Biennale's national pavilion format.
- Italy recognizes Ireland but not Palestine for pavilions.
- Biennale runs 20 April to 24 November 2024.
Entities
Artists
- Eimear Walshe
- Amanda Feery
- Sarah Browne
- Dylan Kerr
- Ruth Clinton
- Niamh Moriarty
- Jack Hogan
- Colm Keady-Tabbal
- Maïa Nunes
- Alice Rekab
- Cameron Lynch
- Wael Shawky
- Thomas McCarthy
- Fin Dwyer
Institutions
- ArtReview
- Artists + Allies x Hebron
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Republic of Ireland
- Ireland
- France
- Scotland
- Palestine
- Egypt
- Arsenale