Edward Delaney is one of the most celebrated Irish sculptures of the second half of the twentieth century. Imbued with the aesthetic tradition and experience of living and studying in post war Germany, Delaney's work seized on vital and fundamental imagery.

Working in bronze in the lost wax method Delaney's figures attempt a seamless union of form, material and content.When he returned to Dublin, Delaney's brand of European modernism was without context in 1960's Ireland. But half a century later and Delaney's work is very well respected in modern Ireland by art critcs and the general public alike.

Delaney is best known today for two Dublin monuments, The Wolfe Tone Memorial, 1967 on St Stephens Green and The Thomas Davis Memorial 1966 on College Green. Their abstraction and expressionism were a marked departure for their time while their egalitarianism reflected a new sense of confidence in the nation.

Delaney brought much of these qualities into his studio work and this exhibition uses a concentrated selection of his bronzes from the sixties to aid a review of his style. There will be five large-scale works including the Figures of Cuchulain and the Great Hunger alongside smaller works like Bather, The Piper and Bird Alighting.

Two programmes will also be shown as part of the exhibition, Aisling Gheal Edward Delaney featuring Delaney with his daughter Catriona sculpting and a piece from 1963 showing Delaney casting a bronze piece.

Please note: The RHA Gallery will be closes from the 22nd of December until the 4^th of January.

Royal Hibernian Academy

15 Ely Place,

Dublin 2.

Tel: + 353 (0) 1 661 2558