Art meats food
The Feolas Art Exhibition was launched in the 3rd floor Atrium, in Dunnes Stores Patrick Street, Cork city. The exhibition is an attraction of the Cork on a Fork Festival, sponsored by James Whelan Butchers and curated by Sample-Studios, one of Ireland’s largest artist studios and creative workspaces, based in Cork city.
Feolas draws its name from a combination of the Irish words for meat (Feoil) and knowledge (Eolas) and celebrates the relationship between Art and Meat, showcasing Cork-based artists, Claire O’Reilly, Debbie Godsell and Jörg Koster, whose work explores what and how we eat.
The exhibition was officially opened earlier this month by John and Sally McKenna, award-winning writers, McKenna Guides and is open to the public throughout August.
John McKenna stated: “Food and art are bedfellows, both being the result of the creative imagination. Whilst food satisfies our appetite, it is art that satisfies our souls. It’s appropriate, therefore, to bring together these essential human endeavours during the week of Cork on a Fork. Cork is the Irish city that marches to the beat of its belly, a vital conduit for food, a vital conduit for contemporary cooking. Cork puts the art on the plate, Feolas puts the art in the gallery, and how marvellous to see the atrium of Dunnes Stores used in such an original and imaginative way.”
Pat Whelan, CEO of the award-winning James Whelan Butchers, who are collaborating with Sample Studios on the exhibition, said: “The vision of celebrating the connection between food and art is exactly what we wished for with the Feolas Art Exhibition. Sample-Studios has been aligned to our vision from day one and have executed this fantastic display of art this evening. For James Whelan Butchers, this collaboration is about more than supporting an exhibition.
Feolas gives us an opportunity to explore the connection between art and food in a fresh and exciting way.”
The event featured a panel discussion on the strong connections between art and food, and the importance of sustainable food production and consumption. Panelists included Jack O’Keeffe, Cork Culinary Lead, Gather & Gather, Chef Orla McAndrew, Dr Matthew Whyte, Development Manager, Sample Studio and Darran Walsh, Head of Operations, James Whelan Butchers.
Diane Higgins, President of Network Ireland Cork, praised the exhibition, stating: “Feolas is a fantastic example of what can happen when businesses, artists and the wider community come together around a shared vision.”