Having their say on art! Young people pick NICCY’s winning artist

Artist, Martina Galvin is the winner of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People’s public artwork competition – and young people had the final decision in picking her as the winner.

The public artwork will involve children and young people from Northern Ireland in its development and production and will be displayed prominently in the offices of the Commissioner.

Marlene Kinghan, Head of Communications and Participation said young people had been key to the decision-making process.

“We were very impressed with the standard of the many submissions received over the past month,” she said. “In the end the final decision on the winning artist, was made by the two young people on our judging panel.

“They felt Martina had the experience of listening and working effectively with young people to produce work that will have a great impact.”

Conor Fitzpatrick was one of the young people involved in the decision to choose Martina.

“We thought the artwork Martina plans to produce, will best describe how young people feel and think. It will also be rewarding to the young people who get involved in its design. We also hope it will inspire everyone who visits NICCY’s offices in the future.”

Martina made a recent visit to the offices of the commissioner to view the space, for the public artwork.

She said: “I am really impressed with the design of the space provided for the artwork, which was designed in consultation with a group of children and young people. It’s very airy with lots of natural and coloured light. I think the work I have proposed will suit the space very well.”

The artwork is to be installed towards the end of October.

To view a copy of the brief and view the space planned for the artwork visit the Commissioner’s website on www.niccy.org.

ENDS

For further information contact the NICCY Press Office on 028 90 316396

Notes to Editors

• Martina Galvin has worked with many groups of children and young people in the past.
• She was commissioned to create a permanent artwork for the Ark, the Children’s Centre for Art in Temple Bar, in collaboration with 1500 children.
• Martina worked with children from four schools in the Dublin area  in 2000 to create an artwork for the Irish Pavilion at Expo 2000 in Hannover Germany.
• She has had various solo and group exhibitions worldwide as well as various private and public commissions for her work.
• Judging panel included one representative from NICCY, two young people; an independent artist; representatives from the Arts Council and a youth group.