1905 Building

This exhibition, which gathered the work of 20 artists who work in all media — from painting, photography, and sculpture to video and installation — explored the question of identity in a world where mobility is considered the norm. Some of the best contemporary Irish artists now make their homes in England, particularly London. Many leave for the practical advantages of more schooling opportunities and a larger network. These artists, nonetheless, do not consider themselves exiles; many still have galleries in Ireland and travel back and forth frequently. "0044" represents the international telephone code into England, from Ireland. These digits can also be seen to represent the constant communication between places and ideas on the periphery with those at traditional centers of power.

In England, the 0044 artists see themselves working within an international context. They show no interest in being labeled "Irish," despite Ireland's current blossoming, both economically and culturally. By distancing themselves from their native country, these artists escape the confines of what they consider to be an insular society; they also remove themselves from the romantic myths that have shaped Ireland's national consciousness. Each artist's particular ability to address contemporary and universal issues in highly personal ways gives this exhibition a surprising cohesiveness. These artists, acutely aware of the social changes and pressures within Ireland as well as the world at large, have developed a visual language that expresses paradox and truth.

Escaping the cultural stereotypes of Ireland while retaining a certain residual sensitivity, the artists in 0044 are uniquely postmodern. They all bring to their diverse projects a sense of the importance of place, but not necessarily a sense of belonging. A deep sensitivity to human feeling and emotion is coupled with a sensibility that instinctively blurs the boundaries between art and everyday life. This creates an immediacy in the work that is analytic rather than romantic, intellectual rather than visceral, reflective rather than angry. Whether their concern specifically focuses on Ireland, or Northern Ireland, or on a new venue altogether, the works mirror many of the world's — and contemporary art’s — most profound questions.

0044: Contemporary Irish Artists in Britain was accompanied by a 175-page catalogue, illustrated in color and black and white, put together by the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, Cork, Ireland.

On September 18, the Albright-Knox hosted a panel discussion entitled “The Question of Internationalism: Identity and Transnationality in the Work of Contemporary Irish Artists Living in England.” The panel was moderated by Peter Murray, the curator of the exhibition, and featured 0044 artists Maud Cotter, Andrew Kearney, and Daphne Wright.

This exhibition was organized by Peter Murray, Curator at the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, Cork, Ireland. This exhibition was organized at the Albright-Knox by Assistant Curator Claire Schneider.