Tag Archives: Royal Hibernian Academy

ENNIS artist Mick O’Dea has been given unprecedented access to the State’s art collection housed in Leinster House for a landmark one-hour documentary, which will debut on Monday. For the first time in broadcasting history, the collection will be showcased in House of Art. Having been given unprecedented access, Royal Hibernian Academy president, Mick O’Dea, discovers the stories, the artists and the people behind this unique collection, revealing a rich tapestry of our socio-political history. The documentary, produced by Red Shoe Productions, will be launched with a premiere screening in The Little Museum of Dublin, where Mick and director Maggie Breathnach will do a question and answer session.The documentary will then debut on Oireachtas TV on Monday at 8pm. There are over 300 pieces of priceless art housed in Leinster House. With the foundation of the State in 1922, successive governments were keen to create a pantheon of heroes aimed at affirming national self-image. With over 18,000 pieces in the …

ENNIS artist Mick O’Dea has completed an official portrait of President Michael D Higgins, which will hang in Leinster House throughout his time in office, before being moved to Áras an Uachtaráin after his departure from office. “The annual Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) exhibition will be opening on May 22 and I’m going to show the newly completed official portrait of President Higgins,” said Mick. While he has recently exhibited in the Royal Scottish Academy and will have another painting in London’s Royal Academy over the summer, he said this is the most important one for him. “For a portrait painter, it is a big honour. I’m humbled to have been asked to do it.” In relation to where the official portrait will be on show, he explained. “It will hang in the Áras, along with the previous Presidential portraits, once he leaves office. I’ll be showing it in the RHA, which I’m currently president of, and when that exhibition …

ENNIS-born artist, Mick O’Dea has been elected the 23rd president of the 193-year-old Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA). Mick’s election was confirmed at the annual general meeting of the RHA at Ely Place, Dublin, on Tuesday, and he takes over from architect Des McMahon, the designer of Glór in Ennis, among many other noted buildings including Croke Park, for a term which can vary but is usually five years. “There was an election, there was a number of candidates and I was successful,” the 58-year-old celebrated landscape, portrait and historical painter, who is also a member of Aosdána, told The Clare Champion. “I’m very proud to represent the RHA, a diverse selection of outstandingly talented people. That’s the biggest honour of all really. “It’s humbling. A lot of the members are, in my eyes, venerable people who have been practicing their arts through thick and thin for all their lives, into their eighties,” the newly elected president said, adding, “They were …