Newtownabbey artist features in virtual exhibition

A Newtownabbey artist features in a new virtual exhibition by the Pastel Society of Ireland, hosted by the Island Art Centre in Lisburn.
'Knick Knacks', by Newtownabbey artist Roberta Lindsay, is one of the pieces featured in the virtual exhibition.'Knick Knacks', by Newtownabbey artist Roberta Lindsay, is one of the pieces featured in the virtual exhibition.
'Knick Knacks', by Newtownabbey artist Roberta Lindsay, is one of the pieces featured in the virtual exhibition.

Two pieces by Roberta Lindsay are included in the show, which celebrates the importance of art during lockdown.

Speaking at the launch of the exhibition, Patricia Burgess, chairperson of the Pastel Society of Ireland, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to bring together such a diverse collection of art to mark what has been such a challenging year for everyone.

“Throughout 2020, in the face of the physical threats posed by COVID-19 and the hardships and challenges of lockdown, I think one factor that has become obvious across the world has been the importance of creativity to our sense of wellbeing – be that through gardening, home improvements, craft, or - in our case – pastel painting.

“Unfortunately this year, we have been unable to host what would have been our 31st annual exhibition, but extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures and so I am delighted that, courtesy of the Island Arts Centre, we are able instead to invite people into the socially distanced world of our Virtual Pandemic Exhibition 2020 - a collection of 54 works from 24 of our members, from across the whole of Ireland and Northern Ireland.”

All of the artists who have contributed to the exhibition are members of the Pastel Society of Ireland, which brings together pastel artists from across the whole of the island of Ireland to promote the use of the medium.

The Virtual Pandemic Exhibition is being hosted online at the Island Arts Centre’s website at https://islandartscentre.com/

Each day of the exhibition will highlight one of the artists whose work is included alongside the main body of works.