Keynote Presentation:  James Merrigan

Speakers: Brendan Fletcher, Rachael Gunning, Dr. Jane Humphries, Dr. Rachel Magdeburg, Prof. Alistair Payne, Prof Magnus Quaife, Annie Riga, Associate Professor Dominic Shepherd, Dr. John Walter and Sitian Zeng

Throughout the twentieth century to the present day the ‘death of painting’ debate has, to varied degrees, impacted on the practices of artists. Ever since the French painter Paul Delaroche declared that ‘from today, painting is dead’ in 1839 upon seeing his first daguerreotype photograph, countless artists and critics have signalled painting’s apparent demise. Whether artists engage with this debate, dismiss it outright or absorb it into their practices, it is something that often lingers and percolates in artists’ studios.

Central to many of the debates is how can painting possibly engage with society in ways that are novel when other media might align more with the world in which we live? Has painting become parochial and obsolete within the broader context of successive technological revolutions? Conversely, is painting rebellious and subversive in its refusal to be marginalised? Why does painting appear to be able to sustain, perhaps even ‘resurrect’ itself despite the multiple ‘crises’ and ‘deaths’ that challenge its legitimacy?

Join us for this one-day symposium with presentations from 11 artists and writers exploring the artistic, historical, theoretical and societal contexts and debates that underlie painting’s ‘Crisis / death / resurrection’ in all its various guises.

Registration is open from 9.30am with speakers beginning at 10am.

This event is organised in partnership with MTU Crawford College of Art and Design with support from MTU’s Teaching and Learning Unit, AnSEO – The Student Engagement Office and the Innovation and Enterprise Office

For queries regarding the symposium, please contact donal.moloney@mtu.ie