Back to back, and often knuckle to knuckle, these two adjoining counties not only meet each other geographically and sportingly, they also hold their own artistically.
In Ireland the art world and the GAA have always held themselves apart as separate cultures. Identity is strong at a regional level and areas only twenty miles apart might be aligned with Munster rather than Leinster and feel enriched by competitive sporting challenges. The visual arts of course do not overtly engage in competitive tactics, although, I could mention the exception of Cors recent scuffle with several other Irish cities for the European City of Culture award. (We won.)
In an era when the trend is for regions to merge into larger international communities, we have decided to take the lead from sporting culture and re- look at more local boundaries.
The art works included are not necessarily on a sporting subject, however Marie Foley has responded specifically to the theme of this show in both of her pieces, one of which is reproduced here. This is not intended as a survey show of all the best artists in both counties. Nor is it seriously intended to imply a competitive tone. Still, as the hurling season starts, it does feel appropriate that the black and amber should meet the blue and gold in Cork territory.
Artists showing their colours include: Michael Beirne, Marie Foley, Helena Gorey, kPatrick Hall, Gottfried Helnwein, Brian Kennedy, Bernadette Kiely, Sonja Landweer, Patricia Looby, Alice Maher, Paul Mosse, Jane Malley, Tony Malley, Stephen Vaughan.

* Kilkenny v Tipperary
April to May 2002 Exhibition