Art and the Nation State: The Reception of Modern Art in Ireland

Art and the Nation State explores the reception and critical debate on modernist art in Ireland from 1922 to 1970, examining how it contributed to post-independence cultural debate and the development of national Irish identity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2021
Publisher: Liverpool University Press

Art and the Nation State is a comprehensive exploration of the reception and critical discourse surrounding modernist art from the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922 to the conclusion of the modernist era in the 1970s. By drawing upon a diverse range of sources, including art works, media coverage, reviews, writings, and private papers of prominent Irish and international artists, critics, and commentators such as Samuel Beckett, Thomas MacGreevy, Clement Greenberg, James Johnson Sweeney, Herbert Read, and Brian ODoherty, the study delves into the profound impact of Irish modernist art on the post-independence cultural discourse and the evolving conceptions of national Irish identity.

The book employs an analytical approach to examine how the reputations of prominent Irish artists were shaped by the prevailing pressures of national identity, modernization, and the intricate dynamics of the international art world. It also delves into the contentious debates surrounding the relevance of the works of influential international modernists, including the Irish-American sculptor Andrew OConnor, the French expressionist painter Georges Rouault, the British sculptor Henry Moore, and the Irish-born artist Francis Bacon, to Irish cultural life. Furthermore, the study analyzes the challenging positioning of Northern Irish artists within this context.

The study encompasses a wide range of artistic movements and styles, including cubism, futurism, surrealism, and abstract expressionism, highlighting the diverse influences and contributions of Irish modernist artists to the global art scene. It sheds light on the complex negotiations and tensions that emerged between the aspirations of individual artists and the demands of the nation-state, exploring how modernist art played a role in shaping and challenging notions of national identity and cultural heritage.

Through its comprehensive analysis, Art and the Nation State offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between art, politics, and society, providing a rich and nuanced understanding of the cultural landscape of Ireland during a pivotal period of its history.

Weight: 604g
Dimension: 179 x 240 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789622355