Press release 12/6/2018

The National Gallery of Ireland is delighted to announce a new collaboration with the creative and talented Tropical Popical nail salon running from June 2018 to June 2019.

Following the successful collaboration between the Gallery and Tropical Popical in 2017 during the Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting: Inspiration and Rivalry exhibition, Tropical Popical again take nail art to another level at the National Gallery of Ireland. A series of original designs will be inspired by the Gallery’s 2018/2019 exhibitions, to include the exotic plants and animals of Curious Creatures – Frans Post and Brazil; the lush French landscapes of Roderic O’Conor and the Moderns. Between Paris and Pont-Aven and the 18th century splendour of Canaletto and the Art of Venice.

Tropical Popical nail artists will design and create custom nail art at the first of the new series of Thursday Lates events within the Gallery space, on the Summer Solstice (Thursday 21 June). The ‘TropPopettes’ will also be part of the Gallery’s Culture Night celebrations (Friday 21 September) and many more significant events. These one-of-a-kind nail designs are also available to purchase in the Tropical Popical salon on South William Street, see tropicalpopical.com.

Commenting, Andrea Horan, Founder of Tropical Popical, said “The very core of our existence in Tropical Popical is creativity and sociability. We’ve always worked at pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved as an independent, community focused business, and this partnership brings those elements together elegantly. Working with the National Gallery allows us to work on bridging the gap between often highbrow, academic works and new audiences through a medium that is fleeting, durational, fun and surprising. Art is the very essence of what we do every day, albeit on a tiny canvas, so access to such a vast and rich collection of art is extremely seductive.”

Catherine Griffin, Head of Public Engagement, National Gallery of Ireland, added: “The Gallery is thrilled to collaborate with Tropical Popical to bring our collections and exhibitions to new audiences while creating exciting and innovative designs. We’re looking forward to Tropical Popical showcasing these designs at our ‘Thursday Lates’ events over the coming 12 months.”

The collaboration aims to provide a unique, fun and creative way for audiences to engage with the National Gallery of Ireland and its collections. In June 2019, as part of the collaboration, a selection of nail art will be displayed in the Gallery’s Millennium Wing Studio, coordinated by Head of Education, Sinéad Rice and founder of Tropical Popical, Andrea Horan. A special podcast episode will also be produced.

 

Contact: Emma Pearson, Press and Communications Office, National Gallery of Ireland.

Tel: +353 (0) 1 663 3519 / +353 (0)87 918 7941 Email: [email protected].

Notes to Editors:

•Images available on request from [email protected].

About Tropical Popical: Dublin nail bar Tropical Popical, founded in November 2012 by Andrea Horan, is renowned for creating miniature works of art on its clients’ nails. The salon offers a range of treatments including manicures, pedicures, nail extensions and nail art. For bookings, see tropicalpopical.com.

About the National Gallery of Ireland: Established in 1854 by an Act of Parliament, the National Gallery of Ireland houses the nation’s collection of European and Irish fine art spanning the early Renaissance to the present day, with over 16,300 works of art. The Gallery is also home to the National Portrait Collection (established 1874).