As the winter months roll into Dublin, and as the all-too-familiar early sundowns take the sun and light out of our day, it’s easy to fall into a dull monotone rhythm. What better way to find some inspiration than a visit to the annual Art Source fair at the RDS. In spite of Storm Claudia rolling her way through Dublin on the weekend of November 14th, the turnout was impressive. For Ireland’s “biggest and best art fair”, every occasion was provided for. The arena itself was elegantly and eclectically decorated with the art of vendors. Families, friends, and art students eagerly moved through a maze of stalls to engage with the artists. Emanuela Carvisiglia, a visual artist in her second year as a seller at Art Source, says that the show “is a good opportunity to present yourself and meet different artists, people start to know you … and form a community”. Affording a rare moment of tranquility amid the chaos, live pianists stationed around each café centre created an atmosphere of calm for visitors. From this perch, the budding creativity is clear and contagious. Lukasz Klimek, a ceramicist who used to visit each year and dreamt of becoming a vendor – a dream that has now come true – advised that “as an artist you need to be brave, to show your work and just get out there”.
Many artists worry about how to offset the costs of attending the show without the guarantee of selling many pieces. The organizers’ “100 for €100” scheme has tried to solve this issue, with artists creating items intentionally worth just €100 – pieces that are much more likely to sell. Other vendors view Art Source as a purposefully social event. It is, after all, one of the few times visitors can find such a variety of artists in the same place. Dylan Hansard, a watercolour artist with a focus on urban nightlife, noted how his Instagram would always blow up this time of year due to the sheer volume of people passing through his stand.
Art Source also put the spotlight on young emerging artists, showcasing four recent graduates from Ballyfermot College of Further Education. In an exhibition where pieces from renowned artists such as Banksy and Andy Warhol are up for sale, this inclusion shows visitors the scope of our cultural landscape, from established artists to future innovators. Lorraine O’Donovan, a painter who takes inspiration from both her garden and her job as a professional photographer, highlighted this: “Just to be able to display alongside other artists and especially known artists, and to be able to hold your own too, is brilliant.” The event’s focus on fostering love for art and creative expression in younger generations is extremely evident. In free workshops, children were encouraged to explore what they knew about art as well as learn about new concepts. Art Source shows itself to be deeply aware that community and outreach are cornerstones of the endurance of art appreciation – and our contemporary art scene itself.
As I’m finishing my tour of Art Source, I pass by the complimentary wrapping service. Not much else can be heard above the crinkling, creasing, and tucking of paper, each getting ready to go to a new home. It is this appreciation of the arts which revitalizes and inspires, shining a light for us in the winter darkness.
