A source of inspiration

Art and pop culture lovers are in for a visual overload, as an art fair featuring some of the country’s top artists will take place this week in City Hall.

Art Source, Ireland’s premier art fair, visits Cork from tomorrow and runs until Sunday. This is the first time that Art Source has taken place outside of Dublin, and it will feature 20 of Ireland’s top artists and galleries showcasing affordable contemporary art.

Among them is artist Vincent Devine, whose portrait of Debbie Harry was recently published in her autobiography, ‘Face It’. A huge Blondie fan, Devine doubted the singer would even see the portrait which was delivered to her room during a tour in 2014. As a result, Devine’s work has been commissioned by celebrities including Tyra Banks, Roisin Murphy, Iggy Azalea, and lauded by stars such as Shakira, Alanis Morissette and JK Rowling.

Pop artist Jin Yong has had 15 solo exhibitions in Ireland and will be bringing his brand-new wildlife collection to Art Source. The collection features mostly endangered animals, including lions, tigers, elephants, orangutans and gorillas.

Art Source Cork will also display the work of Kenmare photographer Norman McCloskey. Norman’s Antarctic photography has been published in National Geographic, and he has produced two books that capture the beauty of Killarney National Park and the Beara peninsula. Skellig Moon, a once-in-a-lifetime shot of a full moon aligned with the Skelligs, is a testament to McCloskey’s persistence in the name of his craft and took him three years to capture.

Art Source Cork is running alongside the Gifted Craft and Design Fair, the ultimate destination for anyone interested in craft, design, unique independent brands and artisan food producers.

Formerly known as the City Hall Crafts Fair, Gifted Cork is home to over 100 stands packed with original gifts from food to fashion, jewellery and more. The fair also features The Spectacular Christmas Food Emporium with over 25 local artisan food producers, tempting visitors with the best of the season’s fare.

Gifted Craft and Design Fair Cork and Art Source Cork take place at the City Hall Cork from November 29 to December 1. For further information, visit giftedcork.ie.