A resurgence in the Irish art market?

What might amount to a resurgence of the Irish art market could emerge next week. Advance interest in Morgan O’Driscoll’s Irish and International art auction at the RDS next Monday at 6 pm is heavy. 

The 110 lot sale, now on view at the Minerva Suite of the RDS, was viewed in Skibbereen last weekend and drew a number of buyers from around Munster.

There was much interest in the re-discovered Paul Henry drawings featured on these pages two weeks ago and in works by Dan O’Neill, Basil Blackshaw, John Kingerlee, Michael Farrell, Evie Hone and Patrick Scott.

On the international side a print by Iranian artist Shirin Neshat (born 1957) showing a partially veiled woman and entitled I am it’s secret, estimated at €3,000-€4,000, has caused a stir among internet bidders.

Neshat was awarded an honorary professorship at the art university of Berlin in 2004 and in 2006 and was also awarded the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize, one of the richest prizes in the arts — awarded annually to a man or woman who has made an outstanding contribution to the beauty of the world and to mankind’s enjoyment and understanding of life.

On view from 11 am to 6 pm today and tomorrow and from 10 am to 4 pm Monday.