In Real Life celebrates nature through art at the National Gallery of Ireland 

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On 17 August 2024, a new exhibition, In Real Life, opens at the National Gallery of Ireland.

This exhibition, located in the Print Gallery, offers visitors a chance to explore the beauty and fragility of nature through a unique collection of drawings and paintings. Many of these works are seldom displayed and are presented alongside pieces on loan from contemporary Irish artists. In Real Life explores themes such as how nature inspires artists, sustainability, and the critical role of art in drawing attention to environmental threats. The exhibition will feature 50 works spanning the seventeenth to the twenty-first centuries, including closely observed studies, idealised landscapes, topographical views, and poetic interpretations.

Basil Blackshaw’s Landscape with Trees (1951) captures the rural landscape of County Down with lively pen and ink, demonstrating his early fascination with landscapes. Paula Pohli’s The Magpie (2017) is a meticulous portrait in egg tempera. The image captures a familiar bird with its characteristic pose and watchful demeanour. William Evans of Eton’s Delphi (1838) offers a dramatic watercolour depiction of the rapidly changing weather of Ireland’s west coast, a scene sketched during his travels in Connemara. Fiona McDonald’s In Search of a Blanket Bog (2022) uses custom-designed algorithms to generate coded drawings from environmental data, highlighting human impact on landscapes while offering hope for ecological restoration. This exhibition reflects each artists’ connection with nature and highlights the evolving dialogue between art and the environment.

Works from the Gallery’s permanent collection by artists such as Aelbert Cuyp, Barbara Rae, Michael Wann and Emil Nolde are complemented by recent works on loan from contemporary Irish artists Angie Shanahan (b.1961), David Lunney (b.1988), Fiona McDonald (b.1969) and Bridget Flannery (1959-2024). These works highlight how art reflects the natural world and the urgency for environmental conservation.

Inspired by the fragility and vulnerability of the natural world, the Gallery has made a conscious effort to ensure that this exhibition will be as sustainable as possible. All materials used are recyclable, reusable or biodegradable. Paper-based board and recyclable PVC-free vinyl has also been used for signage. 

Dr Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, said:

“In Real Life explores the connection between nature and art, inviting visitors to step away from daily life, and immerse themselves in the beauty of the natural world, through the eyes of the artist. In Real Life celebrates the inspiration that nature provides to artists, from Aelbert Cuyp’s meticulous studies to Fiona McDonald’s contemporary digital drawings. It highlights how artists, past and present, continue to draw upon nature to create reflective and forward-thinking works.”

Anne Hodge, Curator of Prints and Drawings at the National Gallery of Ireland, said:

“Artists always look closely at the world around them – it is, in a sense, their job. For many, nature is a primary inspiration, deeply influencing their work. Whether it’s a specific landscape, a tree, or a flower, these natural elements often spark a unique creative process. Through a combination of observation, imagination, and skill, artists translate the wonder of nature onto paper, reminding us of the beauty of the natural environment.

The immediacy of drawing allows artists to capture changing shapes, colours, and light quickly, in any location – from a mountainside to a shoreline. This exhibition highlights the enduring connection between artists and the natural world, emphasising how art reveals the fragility of nature and the need for conservation.”

In Real Life runs at the National Gallery of Ireland until 24 November 2024. Throughout the exhibition, there will be accessible and inclusive public programming. The programme includes free public tours and an online introductory talk from the curator, with closed captioning and interpretation for Irish Sign Language users. There will also be family workshops, sketching tours, and Drawing the Collection sessions led by contemporary artists.

The Gallery would like to thank the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for its ongoing support. Find out more about the Gallery at www.nationalgallery.ie.