CORRESPONDANCES is a new exhibition showcasing the work of Irish artists Eamon Colman, Katarzyna Gajewska and Gary Robinson at the historic Chateâu de Dampierre in France.
Running until June 19, the exhibition has been curated by Ciara Hambly, director of Co Fermanagh art gallery Hambly & Hambly, to mark a new partnership between the Enniskillen art hub and Chateâu de Dampierre.
Visual artists Gajewska and Robinson along with songwriter and musician Clara Tracey were recipients of the inaugural John Richardson Memorial French Residency Award, which has been established by Hambly & Hambly in memory of its former director, Ciara Hambly's late father.
The bursary award offered the winning artists a two-week residency under the mentorship of Aosdána member Eamon Colman in the idyllic French village of Dampierre sur Boutonne.
This culminated in Correspondances, a public exhibition and showcase of the artists' work in the chateau gallery and gardens.
Hambly & Hambly director Ciara Hambly explained that the ultimate objective of the residency and exhibition was to give Irish artists an opportunity to develop their practice and showcase their work on an international platform.
"The John Richardson French Residency award is a huge opportunity for Irish art," said Ciara.
"We aim to support world class Irish artists, joining them together from north and south of the border and propel them to an international stage. This is something I'm very passionate about because I feel that Irish art is not yet sufficiently celebrated internationally."
Around 400 artists of all disciplines applied for this year's bursary awards, which were selected by a panel of 10 judges.
Gary Robinson said that "the complete residency experience was unforgettable" for him.
"Having time to focus, consider my process and just simply make new art in this tiny French village was amazing," said Gary, who hails from Co Longford.
"I would highly recommend artists of all disciplines to apply for the 2023 residency and I would like to thank Ciara for all her hard work creating this brilliant, unique opportunity for artists to consider."
Bursary judge and artist mentor, Eamon Colman, a former president of the European Council of Artists, said the award was a unique opportunity for artists.
"Ireland as a nation has great residency programmes but very few international opportunities. This is a great opportunity for emerging Irish artists to develop their work and for Ireland to build its artistic relationship with France."
Applications for the Hambly & Hambly 2023 John Richardson Memorial French Residency will open on June 1.
:: Correspondances continues in Château de Dampierre until June 19. For an application info package, email frenchresidency@gmail.com.
