Exhibit to include iconic clothing worn by A-list Hollywood celebrities
An exciting new art gallery, which will feature works by internationally acclaimed local artists, will be officially opened in Roscommon town next month. The inaugural exhibition at the highly-anticipated Anam Gallery will feature works by local artists Joe Caslin and Una Burke, together with founder Rita Oates’ own collection.
The exhibits will include pieces worn by global pop superstar Rihanna, supermodel Cindy Crawford, Star Trek’s Michelle Yeoh and Jennifer Lawrence in the Hunger Games franchise.
The Anam Gallery is located in the former coach house at Main Street in the town, which local artist and businesswoman Rita Oates hopes to transform into the “artistic soul of the midlands”.
It’s hoped the gallery will become a new home for Irish creative talent, as well as providing a space for young artists to showcase their work, with a youth exhibition to take place annually.
The building in which Anam Gallery is located is at the rear of Rita Oates’ family retail outlet, ETL Craft & Giftware, which is connected to the civic square and new parking facilities, and links the castle, town park, old jail and abbey to the commercial centre of the town.
Rita says, “Our own building, which was once the Bank of Ireland, was built in beautiful limestone, and the coach house had become a storeroom. During Covid, I watched Roscommon County Council create a new civic space in Roscommon’s town centre and I thought of the coach house, and how it could become a place of art and creativity”.
The Anam Gallery will be officially opened on July 8th, and the inaugural exhibition will feature works by internationally acclaimed artists Joe Caslin and Una Burke, together with Rita’s own collection.
Rita says she is thrilled that this new space will give a new opportunity to local artists. “Joe Caslin was doing a mural on our wall, and I had worked with Una Burke at various events. Like our castle, the park and civic space, they are hidden gems that haven’t been adequately showcased in Roscommon.
“The aim of the Anam Gallery is to unite the commercial, historic and creative space in Roscommon and the wider region”.
Joe Caslin is an Irish street artist, art teacher and activist. He’s best known for his beautifully rendered pencil drawings, which manifest as towering pieces of street art. His highly accessible work engages directly with the social issues of modern Ireland.
Una Burke set up her eponymous brand in 2010 in London, making both seasonal fashion collections and sculptural art pieces using her traditional leather-working techniques in her distinctly complex constructions.
In January 2020, she moved home to her native Roscommon and will join Rita and Joe for the launch event, with her work forming part of the subsequent inaugural exhibition.
Una will exhibit fashion collection items and some celebrity-worn items, including a piece worn by Cindy Crawford in Taylor Swift’s ‘Bad Blood’ music video and a gauntlet worn by Jennifer Lawrence in the Hunger Games movies.
The official opening on July 8th will include a ‘Meet the Maker’ experience, and all are welcome to attend.
For updates and further details on the opening event, follow Anam Gallery on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
