Politicians try to remove art work
However, demands by the Mayor and members of the City Council for the removal of the work Painted have been rejected. The exhibit contains a lot of text some of which is shaded so that the words ‘Stab City’ are more apparent.
The politicians insist the exhibit by Martin Shanahan, on display in Bridge Street, is a slur on the city’s good name. Art experts insist it is the very opposite and is a protest at the negative image of Limerick.
The exhibit is part of the internationally acclaimed EV+ A exhibition of modern art, one of the foremost exhibitions of its kind in Europe.
Leading the attack, councillor Pat Kennedy said it was a sinister item which dragged up the old ‘stab city’ image.
He told the monthly council meeting: “I don’t understand the purpose of putting this monstrosity on a wall in the city.
“I think the city should not stand for it and I am calling for the immediate removal of it. We are a proud and ancient city and I believe we should do better,” said Mr Kennedy.
Councillor Kieran O’Hanlon said the exhibit only gave fuel to the image of Limerick portrayed in the media and also called for its removal.
“It’s of no benefit to the city. A lot of these exhibits are a total waste of money and I support the call for the removal of this monstrosity,” he said.
However, councillor Kieran Walsh said EV+ A exhibits make people think. “Politicians should not interfere with art,” he said.
Mayor Michael Hourigan said the exhibit was the work of a lazy artist taking advantage of a cliched image of Limerick.
