Hats off to Dali: Exhibition shows largest collection of artist's work in Ireland
takes a look at what’s happening in the worlds of art, interiors and gardening.
One of the most memorable of modern artists to achieve global celebrity, Salvador Dali is not only famous for his prolific creative output but also for his exuberant persona — and of course that trademark moustache.
Dali’s talents meant he was very much a modern-day renaissance virtuoso — something of a Leonardo da Vinci for the 20th century, in a way.
He made his mark through paintings and sculplture as well as venturing confidently into set design and for stage and film.
Meanwhile, Dali’s forays into everything from television advertisements to magazine covers ensured he has had a lasting influence on mass-market culture.
You can view the largest collection of Salvador Dali’s works ever seen in the island of Ireland, as well as collections from Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso and Banksy, when it forms the centrepiece of Art In The Garden at the five-star Culloden Estate, Belfast, from June 15-30.
In conjunction with Gormleys Fine Art, 14 pieces from the Dali Universe in Switzerland will lead the exhibition containing more than 120 sculptures, some of which are valued up to €500,000, and will be exhibited both in the grounds of the 12-acre estate and in the hotel.
The five-star Culloden Estate’s idyllic private grounds overlooking Belfast Lough will be a fitting backdrop to the impressive collection of sculpture to be displayed.
There will be rooms devoted to Warhol and street artist Banksy and a “Modern Masters Collection” in the Ailsa Suite featuring Picasso, Miro and Lucien Freud.
Other artists featured include Damien Hirst, Robert Indiana, Grayson Perry, Tom Wesselmann, Keith Haring, Julian Opie and Irish sculptors and artists such as Peter Monaghan, Stephen Johnston, Ian Pollock, Patrick O’Reilly, Stephen Forbes, Kenneth Webb and Orla De Brí.
The Culloden Estate is offering special Art in the Garden breaks. There will also be an Art in the Garden Afternoon Tea with a curated art tour of the exhibits.
“Art in the Garden will give art lovers a unique opportunity to view these incredible pieces of work in the beautiful surroundings of the Culloden Estate and Spa,” said Howard Hastings, managing director of Hastings Hotels.
We have worked with Gormleys Fine Art in organising the exhibition and I am confident that visitors will truly appreciate the collection of work that has been put together.
During the exhibition, there will be guided tours around the Art in the Garden installations daily at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm.
Home from home
If a traditional welcome mat were to become the latest in interiors must-haves then “aspirational” would have been an apt word to stamp on it as tens of thousands of homeowners crossed the threshold of the RDS Simmonscourt last weekend for the Ideal Home Show.
More than 27,000 high-spending attendees sought advice and expertise from some of the biggest names in home design and gardening with 257 exhibitors showcasing a range of products and services from doors to floors and everything in between.
Home automation systems were among the big draws for many and the scale of sales success spanned all sectors.
Windows, doors, soft furnishings and home décor were in high demand, as were insulation, energy and home security systems, say organisers.
“Business was strong across all sections of this, Ireland’s largest exhibitions for homeowners, with particularly keen interest in the many furniture and interiors retail brands at the show,” said Sean D Lemass, CEO of SDL Exhibitions Ltd.
The wellbeing and sustainability theme also proved to be on target with consumer demand as households investigate total retrofit insulation systems, heat pumps and replacement windows and doors.
"High-end kitchens and bathrooms were also in strong demand.”
There was a particular focus on wellbeing in the home at this season’s show, so the Dyson Wellbeing Showhouse was a key attraction.
Exhibitors and concessionaires were inundated with enquiries about not only the interior design by Rebecca Roe of Hedgeroe Home, but also the newest wellbeing technologies from Dyson.
There were a number of new business launches across the weekend, including Keane Spaces and Soaks Bathrooms, which introduced the Armani Roca Baia range.
The team from the show’s title sponsor permanent tsb was on hand to provide advice on meeting financial needs including mortgages, home insurance and personal loans.
