News Story:
“Take Hold” Art Exhibition Explores the Power of Hope in the Face of Crisis
On Sunday 9 March, 2025, a group exhibition titled “Take Hold” will open at a local art gallery. Curated by Rachel Botha, the exhibition will feature the works of talented artists including Husk Bennett, Chloe Brenan, Aifric Prior Beliere, Laura Fitzgerald, Cecelia Graham, Marielle MacLeman, Samir Mahmood, William McKeown, and Michaela Razafima Nash. The project aims to interpret “hope as a practice” and its relevance in the face of the climate crisis, capitalism, and systems devoid of care.
The exhibition will showcase a diverse range of artistic mediums, including painting, textile, sound, text, video, sculpture, photography, and installation. Through their art, the artists hope to reanimate hope and its power in our lives, from multiple perspectives and viewpoints.
The phrase “hope as a practice, rather than a feeling” has been borrowed from environmental activist, author, and scholar of Buddhism, Joanna Macy. In the midst of ongoing global issues such as war, genocide, disinformation, hatred, fascism, racism, and fear, hope can be a committed form of collective resistance, rather than a fleeting emotion. It is a driving force for envisioning a better future and can also highlight the importance of anger in response to injustice, motivating individuals to turn despair into action.
The exhibition shares its title and concept with a publication that invites contributors to reflect on our conditions as humans and artists. Through their vulnerability, the artists explore interconnectedness and invite viewers to do the same. Some of the contributors from the publication will be showcasing their works at the exhibition, further deepening the exploration of the concept from different perspectives, including the social, ecological, personal, and political. They will be joined by additional invited artists, providing a diverse range of approaches and contexts.
“Take Hold” is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Derry City & Strabane District Council, and the Visual Arts Bursary from Arts Council Ireland. The exhibition will also feature a selection of works from the Arts Council Ireland Collection.
Don’t miss this thought-provoking and visually stunning exhibition, distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.
