Le Chéile has been a collaboration between artists from the Regional Print Centre,Wrexham,Wales and the Leinster Printmaking studio,Clane, Co. Kildare.
After initial contacts in 2004,artist ‘twins’ or working groups were established and themes of land/language/place/ were decided on as a starting point for the work.
Following successful exhibitions in the Irish Republic the project evolved beyond its’ original remit to include new artists and fresh collaborations. The project finally finished at the end of 2011
All good things must come to an end, and le Chéile is one such. It has far outlived its’ intended lifespan, and has evolved to accommodate new members and new ideas. There have been high profile exhibitions in Eire and in Wales, and the project has been featured in the Gaelic- and Welsh-speaking media.
Participants in le Chéile have forged professional and personal friendships, and have learned much about printmaking and about each others’ cultural heritage.
The “list of credits” is long, but without Steffan Jones-Hughes (previously of the Regional Print Centre, Wrexham) and Margaret Becker of Leinster Printmaking Studio, le Chéile would never have happened. Lucina Russell, Arts Officer, County Kildare facilitated the initial contacts; Monica de Báth co-ordinated the Irish side of the first phase of the project; Pamela de Brí took over from her and saw things through to their final conclusion. Alison Craig assisted Steffan at the beginning and later took over the organisation of the Wales-based artists. Veronica Calarco worked tirelessly in Australia with great results. Geraldine O’Reilly (Eire) and Jim Creed (Wales) acted as curators at various times.
(And, of course, thanks to all our sponsors, and apologies to anyone I’ve missed)
A changing cast of artists took part – “without whom” etc……. – more about them on http://lecheileprintproject.blogspot.com
and the Print Studios on:
http://www.yale-wrexham.ac.uk/facilities/regional-…
http://www.leinsterprintstudio.com/
Thanks very much to everyone for so much hard work.
AC
Alison, Tara and Frances ran a children’s draw and print workshop at Oriel Ynys Mon. This was part of the Big Draw project. After a slow start it was a great success with 13 children in the morning and 12 in the afternoon. We used the portable press from The Yale Printcentre which they loved. They drew from the work in the gallery and made a print based on that drawing.
Children’s gallery at https://picasaweb.google.com/stiwdiopenrallt/BigDr…
Our new exhibition opened on Saturday 24th with a “meet and greet” between 12 & 2 p.m. – no speeches, just lots of people taking a serious look at the prints and other artworks. The show provides an excellent overview of work from the beginning of the project up to the present. (continues until Novemeber 6th. The venue is well signposted from the A55 on Anglesey.)
More images to follow (we hope)
A good day’s work in Oriel Ynys Mon, sorting out work for the exhibition on Saturday.
Jim Creed, our curator, has selected a representative body of work, which will look really good on the walls.
Diolch yn fawr iawn i bawb.
Le Chéile at Oriel Ynys Môn
Our next exhibition opens on Saturday, 24th. September in the main gallery at Oriel Ynys Môn, Llangefni, Anglesey. The gallery is holding a “Meet and Greet” between 12midday and 2p.m. on the Saturday – all welcome. The exhibition runs until November 6th.
