Dundalk library hosting exhibition of artist books inspired by Decade of Centenaries

Handmade artist books by fifteen local artists which look at events from the Easter Rising, War of Independence and Civil War will go on display in Dundalk Library.

The Decade of Centenaries book  project launches on Thursday March 2 at 6pm in conjunction with World Book Day.

 The project which was an initiative of Creative Spark  brings together fifteen local artists who have each created a unique handmade artist book in response to the collection at the Louth Archives under the theme of the Decade of Centenaries.

The artists, who are members of the Creative Spark Print Studio and the group Art as Exchange, have utilized a variety of techniques such as sculptural forms, folded pages, drawings, and collages to create these one-of-a-kind works of art.

The artists who took part were Úna Curley, Sinéad McCourt, John Moloney, Susan Farrelly, Suzanne Carroll, Tracy Fry, Catherine Mccourt, Ciara Agnew, Bernie McAdam, Michael Stafford, Anna Marie Savage, Petra Berntsson, Ilona Cigirova, Mariana Clemnte and Jenny Slater.

The books will be displayed on a large bookshelf shaped like a book, and visitors will have the opportunity to browse through each artist's book. The project celebrates creativity and the power of storytelling through art, showcasing the unique perspectives of local artists and their response to the Louth Archives' collection.

"We are excited to bring together a talented group of local artists who have created such remarkable and unique works of art in response to the Louth Archives' collection," said Grainne Murphy, Print Studio Coordinator of Creative Spark. "We extend a warm invitation to the public to join us at the Dundalk Library on March 2 at 6pm for a special viewing of the books and to celebrate the power of creativity and storytelling through art.”

The project was funded under the Louth County Council Decade of Centenaries Programme for 2022 which in itself is funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media through their Decade of Centenaries National Programme.