The Collection

The primary aim of the Arts Council Northern Ireland's collection has been to raise awareness of and interest in the contemporary visual arts from Northern Ireland, and to encourage the commissioning and purchase of work, as well as providing patronage to artists. 

The Arts Council grew its overall collection to over 700 works with the purchase in 2021-22 of 35 new pieces by 22 artists. The newly acquired artworks reflect artistic practice that is innovative and challenging and contributes to the development of visual arts practice in Northern Ireland. 

The collection is constantly refreshed with new acquisitions. Buying works is one of the ways the Arts Council supports artists in their careers, as an endorsement which can open the door to new opportunities with other art collectors and galleries. 

Many of the artists represented in the collection have major national and international reputations; others are of significant local and national interest. 

This is your opportunity to see a specially curated selection of the collection at Ards Arts Centre, to include some of the recently acquired works. 

Meanwhile, in the Sunburst Gallery, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Posters will be exhibited.

In 2012, twelve leading contemporary UK artists were commissioned by London 2012 to create the official posters for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The commissioned artists were Fiona Banner, Michael Craig-Martin, Martin Creed, Tracey Emin, Anthea Hamilton, Howard Hodgkin, Gary Hume, Sarah Morris, Chris Ofili, Bridget Riley, Bob and Roberta Smith, and Rachel Whiteread.

A limited number of these posters were then made available for purchase, and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland acquired this series for their Collection. 

The series of posters will be on display in the Sunburst Gallery, Ards Arts Centre, as part of 'The Collection'; an exhibition of curated works from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland collection, and is a rare opportunity to see these posters displayed together.

The Collection Talk

Ards Arts Centre

Wed 17 Jan, 7pm

Free (pre-booking required)

Dr Suzanne Lyle, Head of Visual Arts, Arts Council of Northern Ireland will give insight into some of the fascinating works exhibited, including the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Posters showing in the Sunburst Gallery.

To register your attendance at the talk, please CLICK HERE

Image: © Oliver Jeffers. The Substitute Window. 2006. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland Collection.