Added Aug 6, 2005
-PRESS RELEASE-
THE MEATH CHRONICLE, THE WEEKENDER, both dd 04.02.2006
Over a hundred people attended the national launch of of Lietuva-Airija-Lithuania-Ireland art exhibition by Lithuanian artist Ema Rimeikaite, in Oldcastle Library on 24.01.06. A short film documenting the recent history of Lithuania and providing travellers insight into the country preceded the launch. The event is part of Meath County Council's Libraries and Cultural Diversity programme.
The large Lithuanian community in Oldcastle was very well represented on the night as the breathtaking beauty of their homeland was put on display for everybody to enjoy. The artist through her dramatic use of colour and light manages to convey the similarities between irish and Lithuanian streetscapes and landscapes. The exhibition contains 16 paintings in both oil and watercolours.
A graduate of Art in her native Lithuania, Ema has lived and worked in Germany and Cyprus before arriving in Ireland in 2005. Although working in shipping Ema has returned to painting on semi-professional basis upon her arrival in Ireland. She draws heavily on the beauty of her native Lithuania for inspiration and enjoys exploring the similarities of the two countries. The depiction of 'Kurenas' - the traditional Lithuanian flat bottomed fishing boat and Irish 'curragh' is particularly interesting.
The highly regarded exhibition is set to travel nationwide increasing awareness of and pride respectively in Irish and Lithuanian communities. the exhibition opens in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny from 1st of March before travelling on to Clonmel, Co.Tipperary.
'I believe this is a very simple and enjoyable means of increasing our awareness of Lithuania and I recommend as many people as possible visit the exhibition which runs until February 24th' said County Librarian, Ciaran Mangan.
Five of sixteen artworks were sold during the launch...
Meath County Council Arts Office, Oldcastle Credit Union, Lithuanian Embassy in United Kingdom, Gibney's Steel, Kraft Kaffee and McDermott's Art Supplies and Gallery were thanked for their assistance.
In the photo from right to left: Ema Rimeikaite, Artist, Ciaran Mangan, County Librarian, Tomas Kersulis, Project Manager.