A project supported by the Arts Council has won the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize for Irish artist Richard Mosse. The Enclave, Mosse’s effort to radically rethink war photography, represents conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo where 5.4 million people have died of war-related causes since 1998.
The work was the Irish representation at the Venice Art Biennale, where it drew an audience of nearly 80,000 people and was tremendously well received by an international art audience. It was then brought home for the Arts Council’s Irish tour of the work, which was exhibited at the RHA Gallery in Dublin and, until last week, at 6a Rutland Street and Ormston House in Limerick as part of the Limerick City of Culture programme. The piece drew a strong turnout from the public in both locations.
The Deutsche Börse Photography Prize is a prestigious international award which is given to a contemporary photographer of any nationality who has made the most significant contribution to the medium of photography in Europe in the previous year.
Speaking today, Sheila Pratschke, Chair from the Arts Council congratulated Mosse, who was born in County Kilkenny.
"We are extremely pleased to see Richard recognised once again on an international stage. As our national representation at the 55th International Art Exhibition, the Venice Biennale, The Enclave garnered immense critical praise. Here at home, the Arts Council’s Irish tour of The Enclave, which has just drawn to a close after a successful run in Limerick, evoked strong popular support for the artist and his work. This prize is a fitting reward for a remarkable talent, and we wish Richard every future success."
The Irish entry into the Biennale was supported by the Arts Council and the Culture Ireland division of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The Commissioner and Curator is Anna O'Sullivan. The Arts Council’s Irish tour of The Enclave was supported by Limerick City of Culture, Colortrend, The Irish Times, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
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