Ireland's most talented visual artists will compete for the biggest prize in Irish contemporary art at Vue 2016 at the Royal Hibernian Academy gallery from November 3-6.
The €5,000 Vue Contemporary Art Prize presented by Savills will be awarded to the artist who has produced an outstanding body of work in the last year or made some other substantial contribution to the visual arts in Ireland.
19 of Ireland’s leading contemporary art galleries have each nominated an artist as a contender for the prize and RHA director Dr Patrick Murphy, who has an extensive track record as a curator of contemporary Irish art, will adjudicate.
Nominations for the 2016 Vue Contemporary Art Prize presented by Savills include Maser, Yvette Monahan, Jaki Irvine, Patrick Graham, Francis O’Toole, Michael Coleman, Catherine Barron, Blaise Drummond and Donald Teskey, John Cronin, Ciaran Lennon, David Crone, Mick O’Dea, John Behan, Eoin MacLochlainn, Stephen Johnston, Timothy Furey, Marty Kelly, Gavin O’Curry and Bridget O’Gorman.
"This is only the second year the Savills Art Prize has been presented at Vue and we hope the award will become as important to Irish art as the Turner Prize is in the UK," said Vue 2016 organiser Louis O’Sullivan.
“Savills is the perfect partner to present the Prize as most art is found in homes and businesses, and not just museums.
“Vue 2016 is a great opportunity for collectors and investors to experience some of the best contemporary art currently being created in Ireland, and to get some expert advice and guidance from leading galleries.”
Last year’s prize was awarded to abstract artist Richard Gorman who collaborated with Stoney Road Press for his series ‘Kan’ – three monumental (150 x 110cm) carborundum prints on handmade Indian paper.
Galleries participating in Vue 2016 include Kerlin gallery, Cross Gallery, Molesworth Gallery, Stoney Road Press, Hillsboro Fine Art, Green on Red, Eight, Peppercanister, Graphic Studio, Catherine Hammond Gallery (Cork), Fenderesky gallery (Belfast), Kevin Kavanagh, Gallery of Photography, Solomon, Olivier Cornet, Gormleys, Jonathan Ellis King, Gibbons and Nicholas, Oonagh Young Gallery and Art Box.
Opening hours are 6-8pm on Thursday, November 3, 11am-8pm on Friday, November 4, 11am-7pm on Saturday, November 5, and 12-6pm on Sunday, November 6.