Congratulations to QSS member Ian Cumberland who, together with four other acclaimed artists (pianist, Ruth McGinley, writer, Richard O’Rawe, children’s writer, Derek Keilty, and violinist, Darragh Morgan), has been presented with a Major Individual Artist Award (MIA) for Visual Arts. Supported by The National Lottery, these awards, worth up to £15,000 each, are the highest value honour bestowed on artists in Northern Ireland each year by the Arts Council.
The prestigious awards are given in recognition of the contribution each artist has made to creative life in Northern Ireland and makes it possible for them to undertake a substantial, ambitious project that will make a significant impact on the development of their professional, artistic careers.
Ian will use his MIA funding to realise an ambitious new interdisciplinary project that delves into themes of persuasion and perception. The MIA opportunity will enable the artist to push the boundaries of his practice, blending traditional techniques with emerging technologies like AI to craft immersive and thought-provoking works.
Image details: ‘14314 Days’, oil on linen, 150 x 110 cm (currently on show at the Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition in the Ulster Museum, Belfast)