Irish Artists Lend Their Support to Marriage Equality

16 Nov 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 at 14/15 St Stephen's Green (corner of Dawson Street and St Stephen's Green) and features pieces from 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. An on-line bidding facility will also be available online.

ENDS

About Marriage Equality:
Marriage Equality is a national not for profit organisation working for equality for same sex couples, families and their children through access to civil marriage. Marriage Equality was launched in February 2008. It grew from the KAL Advocacy Initiative: a group set up to support the case to recognise the Canadian marriage of two Irish citizens - Drs Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan.

With supporters throughout Ireland, the organisation has had significant impact on public and political opinion in relation to the issue, through a combination of media and communications, research and policy, advocacy and lobbying work. Public support for marriage equality has grown from 56% in 2008 to 73% in 2011.

For more information please visit our website www.marriagequality.ie

List of Artists involved in Art for Marriage Equality:

Pauline Bewick (donated by Katherine Zappone) | Terry Bradley (donated by Caroline Downey) | Mary Burke | Loretto Cooney | Diana Copperwhite | Mark P Cullen | Stephen Cullen | Dave Daly | Gabhann Dunne | Hugh Fitzgerald Ryan | Jim Fitzpatrick | Annmarie Greevy | Odile Hendriks | Clinton Kirkpatrick | Aine Macken | Maria Magee | Katrina Maguire (donated by Caroline Downey) | Steven Mannion | Rachel Mathews-McKay | Claudette Matthews | Marc Matthews | Bernie Maskerson | Selma McCormick | Ann Meldon Hugh | Claire Noons | Blaithin O'Ciobhain (donated by Grainne Healy) | Dee Parfait (donated by Ann Louise Gilligan) | Tootsie Royale | Sarah Ryan | Will St Leger | Louise Walsh