Dubliners - 6th Biennial of Painting, Zagreb
‘Dubliners’ – the international section of the 6th Biennial of Painting, Zagreb, curated by Mark Cullen & Gavin Murphy. The exhibition was a unique opportunity to present together for the first time, an intergenerational grouping of painters who were either born, bred, studied (or taught), or live and work in Dublin.
The invitation to curate such a survey of contemporary painting presents a huge opportunity, and invites its own questions. It allows us to consider: what does it mean to present a national (or municipal) exhibition today? What does (or can) such an exhibition say about a city, its people? What does it mean within the expanded topography of contemporary art with its multiple and unlimited forms? What does such an exhibition say about artists (or painters) working together in a city. Can we trace traits of influence, exchange and conversation, of a ‘community of painting’, or is painting the ‘purest form of individualism’?
About the Biennial of Painting
The Croatian Association of Artists (HDLU) established the Biennial of Painting in 2011. The Biennial’s aim is to survey and evaluate the local painting scene in the context of new European movements and explore, through comparison, the global position of the medium of painting. In this way, HDLU promotes the development of the visual arts by supporting and encouraging artistic creativity and excellence, and by conceiving and promoting international cultural exchange. Conferences, lectures and presentations are organised as part of a Biennial on the initiative of the organisers, to both educate and inspire. Traditionally two awards (Grand Prix and Young Artist Award) – extremely valuable from an expert artistic and financial point of view – are awarded to the most prominent artists and their work.
As well as presenting what is new in Croatian painting today, each edition of the Biennial engages with new and emerging tendencies in the medium of painting across various cities, regions and countries of Europe. In 2011, the guest city was Berlin (“I am a Berliner”, curated by Mark Gisbourne), in 2013 Vienna (“Vienna Calling”, curated by Theresia Hauenfels), in 2015 it was Gdańsk (“Exporting Gdańsk”, curated by Katarzyna Kosmala), in 2017 Prague (“Extended Painting Prag”, curated by Marek Schovanek), and in 2019 Leipzig (“Leipzig Connection”, curated by Mark Gisbourne).
HDLU is located in the famous Meštrović Pavilion in central Zagreb. It consists of three exhibition spaces: Prsten Gallery, Bačva Gallery, and PM Gallery. Its mission and openness aims to foster all expressions of creativity, from prestigious world premieres and biennials to grassroots movements, with the desire to inspire and motivate the public through art.
Curated by Mark Cullen & Gavin Murphy
Gemma Browne, Natasha Conway, Colin Crotty, Gabhann Dunne, Oscar Fouz López, Patrick Graham, Eithne Jordan, John Lalor, Gillian Lawler, Stephen Loughman, Salvatore of Lucan, Brian Maguire, Colin Martin, Fergus Martin, Eleanor McCaughey, Seán Molloy, Mairead O’hEocha, Mark O’Kelly, Alison Pilkington, Liliane Puthod, Sven Sandberg, Sonia Shiel, Kathy Tynan, Marcel Vidal, Harry Walsh Foreman, Orla Whelan. Sculptural installation by Tom Watt & Tanad Williams
‘Dubliners Reel’ curated by Eve Woods
A screening of film works by Irish artists, featuring: Anne Maree Barry, John Byrne, Michelle Doyle, Kevin Gaffney, Léann Herlihy, and Gavin Murphy
Panel discussion:
‘What is it to paint (in) a city?’
Artist talk moderated by critic, curator and educator James Merrigan, with panellists Stephen Loughman, Colin Martin, Mark O’Kelly, Sonia Shiel, Orla Whelan
Exhibition credits
HDLU, Mestrovic Pavilion, Zagreb
21/10/21—05/12/21
HDLU website
Dubliners exhibition website
Designed by Other Office
Read James Merrigan’s Essay: Painter, Painter
Dubliners was funded by Culture Ireland and The Arts Council
Supported by The Embassy of Ireland, Zagreb