Dublin’s Hugh Lane Gallery has opened a new exhibition – Sacred trust: Donations and their Legacy – featuring significant gifts from donors over the years, from 1908 to 2024.
All of the recent donations in this exhibition represent the collective support of a new generation of patrons, further enriching the Hugh Lane Gallery’s collection of modern and contemporary art. Exhibited alongside some of the most significant donations from the founding collection including Impressionist paintings, these contemporary artworks set up a stimulating dialogue with their peers from an earlier age.
Highlighting the recent additions to the gallery’s collection is the marvellous “Wall Landline Moor” painting by Sean Scully, generously donated by the artist. It joins the impressive installation of “Untitled” by Richard Gorman, a series of largescale works on handmade Koso Washi Japanese paper donated by Neil Jordan and Robert Maharry.
Sacred trust: Donations and their Legacy also brings together two previously unseen works on paper by Alexander Calder “To Bambi” and “Lo Oscuro Invade” donated by Madeleine McGahern, a monumental painting “Victory” by Lawrence Carroll donated by Lucy Jones Carroll and the spectacular posthumous portrait of the first female Lord Mayor of Dublin, “Kathleen Clarke” by Brian Maguire.
Speaking about the exhibition, The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithí de Róiste said: “I am proud to launch Sacred trust: Donations and their Legacy at Hugh Lane Gallery. This exhibition is a testament to the vision and philanthropy that underpins the ethos of HLG which is a key cultural institution in Dublin. The gallery is instrumental in shaping the cultural fabric of our city. Sacred trust: Donations and their Legacy invites Dubliners and visitors alike to explore current and historic philanthropy which has shaped HLG’s acclaimed collection and which has made a lasting mark on Ireland’s art scene.”
Donors Neil Jordan and Robert Maharry remarked: “We are honoured to be able to contribute to the Hugh Lane gallery’s great legacy. In particular with this unique work by Richard Gorman, which will be a proud part of its permanent collection.”
Barbara Dawson, Director of Hugh Lane Gallery said: “Since its foundation in 1908, Hugh Lane Gallery has been fortunate in receiving significant donations that add to the wealth and depth of this national collection of modern and contemporary art. In Sacred trust: Donations and their Legacy, we celebrate that legacy with a new generation of supporters whose gifts align with our strategic vision in the 21st century. These artworks will be conserved and enjoyed for generations to come.”
Sacred trust: Donations and their Legacy runs from April 10 onwards, at Hugh Lane Gallery on Dublin’s Parnell Square.
