Ireland’s biggest art fair is expected to attract more than 10,000 people to Ballsbridge
NICK MUNIER doesn't quite conform to the stereotype of the starving artist in the garret. The abstract painter, whose first major exhibition was staged at the Doorway Gallery earlier this year, is better known as co-owner of Pichet, a French restaurant on Dublin's Trinity Street, and as a judge on RTÉ's recent MasterChefcompetition.
Mr Munier (44) is one among the scores of artists taking part in Art Fair 2011 at the RDS, in Ballsbridge, next weekend. The three-day event, which opens on Friday, will feature 130 exhibitors – a mix of artists and galleries – from Ireland and abroad, selling paintings, sculpture, photography and prints.
The fair will also stage a series of lectures, beginning at 5pm on Friday, when Mr Munier will discuss his two loves, food and art, and to what degree these creative strands complement each other in a busy schedule.
He will also be manning a stand at the fair to meet potential buyers of his abstract paintings – priced from €350 to €2,000 – which are influenced by his life in restaurants and the colourful characters there.
In 2010, more than 10,000 people visited what is Ireland’s largest art market and organisers are expecting similar numbers this year. Despite the recession, art sales appear to be healthy, with anecdotal evidence suggesting that art is regarded as a good alternative investment during a period of unprecedented financial turbulence.
RDS spokeswoman Helen Carey said the fair provided “a good opportunity for someone starting to collect” as it was “easy to browse with no pressure to buy”. Visitors can meet and talk to the artists, and most of the work is described as “affordable”. She believes that the event might also appeal to “someone decorating a house” or perhaps seeking a unique Christmas gift.
Other artists in attendance will include Thelma Mansfield, Willie Redmond, Margaret Kent, Michael Morris and Orla Walsh. Participating galleries include Gormleys Fine Art, the Warren from west Cork and Sol Art of Dawson Street.
Visitors will have an opportunity to participate in various art workshops, including Drawing the City(11am-1pm, Sunday, November 6th) hosted by Felicity Clear who teaches drawing and painting at the National College of Art and Design. Workshop participation is on a first-come, first-served basis, and materials are provided. There will be live music throughout the weekend from Penguin Jazz Ensemble.
* Opening times: Friday, November 4th, noon-9pm; Saturday, November 5th, 11am-7pm; and Sunday, November 6th, 11am-6pm. Tickets: adults (€10); concessions (€8); and children under 12 get in free with a paying adult. See rds.ie/artfair.
