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SO, is Ireland about to enter a new artistic phase? After all, in the past few years we've gone through Constructivism (when the skyline was awash with cranes) and Impressionism (when everyone was under the impression that our banks were run by prudent, responsible chaps).
This was swiftly followed by Surrealism (when nobody could quite comprehend how our economy fell off the fiscal cliff).
And this, alas, was replaced by a sadly extended Blue Period, as the nation slumped into a depressed funk.
But could it be possible that a cheerier picture is on the horizon, courtesy of the Leonardo of Listowel, Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan?
Yesterday, the minister unveiled his grand plan for extensive refurbishment of the National Gallery at a cost of €20m.
Jimmy practically pogoed up the steps into the Gallery's huge Dargan wing yesterday to break the good news. In fairness, there are several parts of the magnificent museum that haven't had as much as a lick of emulsion since it opened in 1864, and most of the building has been closed since 2007.
And yet despite the limitations, the number of visitors to the National Gallery (which charges no entrance fee) has risen. But it's not often these days that a government minister gets to be the bearer of glad tidings. "Today I'm announcing a multi-million refurbishment," he declared. "This is the single largest transformation of the National Gallery in 150 years".
And what's more, there are new jobs involved. "This will provide 300 specialist jobs in areas like electrical work, plumbing and heating, in carpentry and woodwork," he said.
The project will include a total refurbishment of the Dargan and Milltown wings, new lighting and security systems and the reopening of Victorian features within the building.
Jimmy was a little vague on exactly how much of the 20 million scoots was raised by private patronage, and how much is coming from the taxpayer, although he did confirm that "most of the money is in place, a large proportion is coming from the Gallery itself, but most of the money will be coming from the taxpayer – I think it's 80-20 (per cent public to private funding). But I do think it's justified," he added cheerfully.
But there's no such thing as a free 20 mill.
So when the overhaul is completed, Jimmy plans to "borrow" the spaces for government functions, particularly during the various 1916 commemoration bunfights planned for 2016.
"There is a lack of government spaces for functions, so this will have a multi-purpose use for government as well," he explained.
Hurrah for Leonardo, father of the era of Post-Constructivism! And there we all were, thinking the government couldn't be bothered its Arts.
Irish Independent
