Preparations begin for Turner Prize exhibition

Ilex Urban Regeneration Company today previewed buildings 80 and 81 at Ebrington.
One of the spaces in building 80 of Ebrington.  (DER3713JB030)One of the spaces in building 80 of Ebrington.  (DER3713JB030)
One of the spaces in building 80 of Ebrington. (DER3713JB030)

Constructed in the 1890s, the buildings have been transformed initially into a state-of-the-art gallery space to house the Turner Prize 2013.

Interim Chairman of Ilex, Matt McNulty expressed his delight with the newly refurbished buildings saying: “The Turner Prize 2013 is now only six weeks away and promotion for the event is set to take off. It is a significant achievement to have persuaded the Tate Gallery to host the Turner Prize in our city. Ilex is delighted to have played a key role in securing the event and thereafter in working with OFMDFM to augment the proposed Creative Hub to provide a fitting venue for Turner Prize 2013 at Ebrington.

When the Turner Prize comes to an end in January 2014, Ilex will complete buildings 80 and 81 as a Hub for the creative and digital industries and these buildings will help to promote entrepreneurship in the city”.

Mel Higgins, interim Chief Executive of Ilex added: “Substantial refurbishment has been undertaken in buildings 80 and 81, integrating both buildings by lowering floors and ceilings, overhauling mechanical and electrical services and renovating the interior to provide a bright and contemporary ambiance, while retaining key aspects of this listed structure. During Turner Prize 2013, the 9,500ft² of space will include a welcome area / reception, four gallery spaces, an artists film area and a special Turner Tea Rooms cafe”.

Ilex will licence the use of Buildings 80 and 81 to Derry City Council and Culture Company 2013 who, together with Tate, will oversee the installation and presentation of the Turner Prize exhibition along with allied outreach and school programmes.

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