Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Insofar as it is appropriate for me to do so in light of what is before us, I welcome the changes proposed by the RHA, albeit that this is a rather idiosyncratic method of endorsing those changes. Any move by the RHA to broaden its membership to include younger artists must be welcomed. One is hopeful that the new members who will come under its purview will embrace many new forms of art and media. That is a personal opinion, but I think it is one that would tally with the movements we see in art across the globe and particularly in the Irish landscape if one has a passing interest in the new forms that we witness every day and that are a joy to behold.

Without wishing to be too parochial, I am a great believer in the idea that institutions like the RHA should, if there is an opportunity to do so, be encouraged to meet in places other than the city or county of Dublin. I would love to see the RHA meeting in counties such as my native Cork, where there is a very strong artistic tradition. The exhibition in the RHA at the moment contains works on loan from the Crawford Gallery in Cork. We are very proud of the Crawford collection, and we wish the management well in the renovation being done there. It is to be hoped that in amending this charter, and in deleting the specific provisions relating to the geographic location where business can be conducted, that the RHA might consider meeting in places like Cork and Galway where there is a vibrant artistic scene. It is to be hoped this aspiration would come to some fruition.

On a personal level, I am very fortunate to be the proud owner of two modest pieces of work by artists who are members of the RHA. I stress that my collection is modest but I value those pieces immensely and enjoy them in my house. I value the work of artists who are members of the RHA, be it an oil painting or a sculpture. There is something about the productivity that is deeply rewarding to those people who enjoy those works.

This is quite a rare event in which we are participating. I also want to wish the RHA well. I hope we will see younger artists emerging as members of the RHA and embracing different media. Forgive me if my language is not of the art world, but where we can allow people to flourish and have the general public appreciate the work of members of the RHA beyond the more traditional crafts such as oil painting, then please let us encourage more people from the wider milieu to become members of the RHA.

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