Art for Marriage Equality
Published: Wednesday, November 16, 2011
The work of some of Ireland's leading artists will come under the hammer at an art auction fundraising event for Marriage Equality. Entitled "Art for Marriage Equality", the auction takes place on Saturday November 26th and features pieces from Anne Madden, Pauline Bewick, Steven Mannion, Jim Fitzpatrick and many more.
Adams Auctioneers have given their services free and will oversee the proceedings. Director Eamon O'Connor is hopeful that the donated work - which ranges from paintings to sculpture and ceramics - will sell well on the day.
"I am delighted with the support we have received from the artists who have generously donated their work to our auction - it's events like this that really make a difference to our fundraising efforts," said Marriage Equality Director Moninne Griffith. "We are a not for profit organisation working for equality for same sex couples, families and children. Many people think that civil partnership is the same as marriage but it is not, and same sex families still face discrimination on a daily basis because of the marriage ban for lesbian and gay people"
Artist Steven Mannion explains why he's supporting the event,
"When my husband and I got married we had to travel to Canada to do it. I didn't believe that civil partnership was an option because Eamon asked me to marry him, he didn't ask me to civil partner him! When I said I wanted to be with him for the rest of my life, I didn't mean as a legally recognised, cohabiting, same sex, civil partner... I meant as his husband. That's why my husband and I, our family and friends support Marriage Equality and the team who work so tirelessly to achieve it"
Sculptor Ann Meldon Hugh added,
"I believe this is an extremely important cause to support. All Irish people should be treated as equal, and all Irish families and children should be given equal rights. Families, human relationships and the interactions of the individual with the environment around them is central to much of my work, so it seems fitting that I should give a piece to a cause that works to improve and stabilise the Irish legal environment for the families of gay and lesbian people in Ireland."
The pieces will be displayed in a public exhibition at 14/15 St Stephen's Green (corner of Dawson Street) on Friday November 25th from 12.00 - 9.00 pm and Saturday 26th from 12.00 - 5.00.pm. An on-line catalogue will be available to view on www.marriagequality.ie<http://www.marriagequality.ie>. An on-line bidding facility will also be available online.