Beautiful Beasts at Draoicht

The Ark in Dublin city centre is lending its weird and wonderful collection of animal sculptures to Draíocht in Blanchardstown for the month of December. This exhibition is especially for children and families. Amongst these quirky, loveable animals, you will find a flying horse, a tortoise with a secret story and a toucan in disguise! Created by leading Irish and international artists from materials ranging from bronze, woods, ceramics and steel, learn about the techniques used to create the artworks and feel samples of the materials used on a ‘touch and feel’ table.

The Beautiful Beasts exhibition is made up of some of The Ark’s favourite pieces from its collection which spans its 21 years of commissioning professional artists to create work for children and features artists Owen Crawford, Conor Fallon, Luxon Gutsa, Orla Kaminska, Olivia Musgrave, Anthony Scott and Imogen Stuart.

As well as Free Primary School Tours, Draíocht will also have an Open Studio with Artist Jole Bortoli, as Artist in Residence from 10th-16th December.

Jole is fascinated by how humans have, in the arts and literature, transferred human qualities onto animals and animals’ onto humans. She will spontaneously respond to ‘The Beautiful Beasts’ exhibition, making her own work in response to the exhibition as well as engaging with families and children. Jole Bortoli is a visual artist and Director/ Founder of Art To Heart (arttoheart.ie) with significant experience working with children.

She works regularly with The Ark and has led pioneering visual art programmes there since 1995. She has art-directed the interior design of children-centred spaces such as the A&E Department in Temple Street Children’s Hospital and the Office for the Ombudsman for Children and works as an artist/facilitator with Rehab Dún Laoghaire and The Sanctuary, Dublin 7.

Her studio practice is based in Dublin and the Burren, Co Clare. Jole is currently writing and illustrating her second book. ‘Iria’ her first book and exhibition was launched in 2010 at The Ark and a new exhibition of this work is planned for 2017.

Draiocht's Galleries are open Monday to Saturday 10am-6pm. Admission is Free.