Ulster University is delighted to announce the seventh annual Art Unwrapped exhibition, a treasured holiday tradition showcasing rarely seen artworks gifted to the city of Belfast from the national collection, which was launched at an event with Belfast Lord Mayor at the Belfast campus on the afternoon of 12 December. This year the university will be exhibiting "Saint Francis in Prayer" by the celebrated Italian artist Cristofano Allori.
Exhibition Details
- Dates: 13 December 2024 to 9 January 2025
- Location: Art Gallery, Block BC – Ulster University Belfast Campus, 2-24 York Street, Belfast, BT15 1AP
- Admission: Free, with guided interpretive tours led by Fine Art Students of Belfast School of Art. Walk-ins are welcome during our opening hours. Tickets available via Eventbrite
Art Unwrapped 2024 invites Northern Ireland residents and visitors to immerse themselves in Allori's early 17th century contemplative piece, “Saint Francis in Prayer”. In an intimate gallery setting, attendees will explore the painting's rich context and underlying themes, guided by students of Fine Art from the Belfast School of Art. In a unique addition, this year’s exhibition will also feature a rarely seen pencil drawing of the artwork.
This initiative, a collaboration between Ulster University, Belfast City Council, and National Museums NI, has brought iconic art pieces closer to the public for the past six years. Previous years have seen artworks like Gerard Dillon's "Innishlacken Couple", Jack Butler Yeats’“On Through the Silent Lands" and a collection featuring Margaret Clarke and Catherine McWilliams come to the university for the Christmas period.
It has been the year for Italian art at the Ulster Museum after its hugely popular Caravaggio exhibition and Kathryn Thomson, Chief Executive of National Museums NI, says they look forward to sharing another Italian art moment with the public:
"Art Unwrapped has become a much-loved festive tradition for National Museums NI. Every year it provides a special opportunity to see a painting from the national art collection at the Ulster Museum somewhere unique and unexpected. This initiative highlights the power of working in partnership to do something different and make art more accessible to wider audiences. In a year where we have been highlighting Italian art in particular, we look forward to sharing Allori’s painting with the public."
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray said:
“Art Unwrapped is a special Christmas gift to the city. Belfast City Council is delighted to have collaborated with National Museums NI and Ulster University for the seventh consecutive year on this innovative project because it’s raising both the profile and our appreciation of the visual arts. It’s fantastic to see Art Unwrapped grow in popularity and reach year on year. I’d encourage anyone who’s out and about in the city centre this festive season - especially in this year of Belast2024 events- to call in to the stunning Ulster University Belfast campus to experience this masterpiece in person.”
Professor Cathy-Gormley Heenan, University Provost at Ulster University said:
"Art Unwrapped is not just an exhibition but a celebration of art and culture during the festive season. The vision of Professor Rafaella Folli in Ulster, we are proud to continue this tradition, now in its seventh year, offering a unique opportunity for the local community to engage with and appreciate significant works of art, like this wonderful Allori piece we have been generously gifted this year by Ulster Museum. We welcome everyone to our campus to come appreciate this impressive work of art.”
With student-led tours and school outreach programmes designed to inspire and educate the next generation of artists and art enthusiasts, Art Unwrapped is more than just an art exhibition. Ulster University invites the public to experience this piece up close and personal this festive season.