Eleanor prepares for India trip

Eleanor prepares for India trip

22 January 2020

RENOWNED Downpatrick-based sculptor and ceramicist Eleanor Wheeler is heading to the sub-continent for journey of discovery.

Eleanor is one of four Northern Ireland artists who will be showcasing their talents in India this year as part of a number of international opportunities developed by the Arts Council to raise the profile of local artists abroad.

Both Eleanor and up-and-coming visual artist Kathryn Graham will each undertake six week residencies at key cultural institutions. 

Eleanor is well known as a ceramist and architectural sculptor having completed a number of high profile works for the public realm such as schools, hospitals, community centres and parks.

She will use her time at the Sanskritti Cultural Centre in India to develop new technique and work.

Later this month, award-winning poet Stephen Sexton and acclaimed director and executive producer of the Lyric Theatre, Jimmy Fay, will represent Northern Ireland at the Jaipur Literature Festival, the world’s biggest book festival, in India.

The links developed by the Arts Council in partnership with the British Council with key cultural institutions in India provide a valuable platform to promote the culture and creativity of Northern Ireland to international audiences.

Arts Council development officer Sonya Whitefield explained that strengthening international opportunities for artists is one of the the organisation’s key priorities this year.

“These exciting ventures in India are just the first in a series of initiatives we will be supporting in 2020,” she continued. “Both the Jaipur Literature Festival and the artists’ residencies will enable our artists to immerse themselves in a very different artistic community and draw inspiration from another culture, as well as promoting their work and showcasing Northern Ireland. 

“Our strong connections with India will continue later this year when we will host the second local edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival.”