Discussion: The RHA and its Struggle with the Modern in Art

During the early 20th century, the Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts saw itself as modern. New international avant-garde trends challenged this outlook and from the 1950s the RHA became isolated. The Arts Council patronised abstraction.

Matt Gallagher’s offer to build a new gallery for the Academy in Ely Place with a powerful modernist design forced the Academy to rethink its role. The return of figure painting, internationally, assisted in the re-emergence of the Academy with a wider range of membership and exhibitions of contemporary art.

Please note this event will have ISL interpretation and the RHA is fully wheelchair accessible.

The Dublin Festival of Histories takes place from 27 September to 13 October. Tickets are free, however booking is required at rhagallery.ie

Image by Donal Murphy.