Belfast News: NI Assembly Art

Everyone has a different view on art, what one might think as fabulous others may perceive as junk. Of course we expect our museums and public bodies to collate all types of art on behalf of the public, but is there a difference between real art and the vanity of public officials commissioning or purchasing art, usually a portrait of one of their own. Given the severity of our recession and the very slow pace of recovery, in a city of food banks what do you the public consider as value for money:



In 2013 the Northern Ireland Assembly obtained 11 drawings of former Members of the Northern Ireland Parliament which were drawn by Rowel Friers. These sketches on paper are currently being restored at a cost of £2,500. We are unaware of any cost involved in obtaining these paper sketches but do you consider it value for money to restore paper drawings that the public do not appear to have access to?



In 2011 the NI Assembly bought or commissioned a portrait of the former First Minister Lord David Trimble of Lisnagarvey which was painted by artist David Nolan. The painting itself is oil on canvas and cost £3,800. Is it value for
money to pay such an amount for a painting which currently hangs on the first floor of Parliament Buildings and area of the building not open to the public or our tourist visitors.



Again in 2011 the Assembly commissioned or bought a portrait of the former deputy First Minister Mark Durkan which was painted by artist Conor Walton. This painting which is oil on canvas cost £5,000 and is another painting inaccessible to either the public or our tourist visitors as it too currently hangs on the first floor of Parliament Buildings.



Another portrait purchased or commissioned by the NI Assembly in 2011 was that of former Speaker Eileen Bell, which was painted by Conor Walton for £5,000. This painting too is oil on canvas and currently hangs in the Members’ Dining Room hidden from those whose money has paid for it.



In 2010 another portrait by artist David Nolan was purchased by the Northern Ireland Assembly this time of former First Minister, the Right Honourable the Lord Bannside of North Antrim, the Reverend Ian Kyle Paisley at a cost of £5,000. This painting which is oil on canvas currently hangs on the first floor of Parliament Buildings an area of the building not accessible to the public.



In 2005 £8,000 was spent on a portrait of the former Speaker Lord Alderdice which was painted by artist Carol Graham where it hangs the NI Assembly have not said but with another £10,000 being spent by the Northern Ireland.



Assembly Commission for commissioned portraits of Seamus Heaney and CS Lewis the question remains, is their art purchases pure vanity and what is public art, if the public are denied access to it?