A Growing Interest in Corporate Collecting?

Pictured at the announcement of significant investment by XL Catlin in works by 17 artists currently working in Ireland were David Watson, CEO of XL RE Europe SE, Minister for Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan TD, and David Gallagher, Country Manager, XL Insurance Irish Branch – pictured with ‘The Edge of Light’ and ‘Fenster’ by Mark Joyce. Picture Conor McCabe Photography

Business to Arts are seeing the beginnings of growth in corporate interest and confidence in re-engaging with both collecting and displaying visual art in their buildings.

We are currently engaged with 5 client companies developing ideas around bespoke visual art programmes. Just one of these, global insurance and reinsurance organisation XL Catlin, has recently confirmed a significant investment in more than 20 works by 17 artists currently working in Ireland. The purchase follows an Open Submission process and Exhibition at XL Catlin’s architecturally significant offices on St Stephen’s Green, Dublin.

No stranger to the arts world, XL Catlin insures some of the leading galleries, exhibitions and art collections around the world. The Group convened a selection panel to consider over 500 submitted works, which included local art experts Sean Kissane, Curator, Exhibitions, Irish Museum of Modern Art and Rayne Booth, Programme Curator, Temple Bar Gallery & Studios, along with local staff and XL Catlin’s Jennifer Schipf, Vice President of Fine Art & Specie.

The purchased works will be installed at the company’s offices, and artists selected range from undergraduate to senior artists and span 22 to 60 years in age. The artists are based in Dublin, Belfast, Galway, Sligo and Clare and include many artists of note including Alice Maher, Nick Miller, Mark Joyce and Garrett Phelan.

Speaking of the announcement, Stuart McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Business to Arts commented “we sense confidence is growing in the marketplace, and it’s gratifying to see that this has impacted very quickly on our discussions with companies and their interest in having a conversation about the arts. XL Catlin’s investment in Irish Art sends an important message – that they are keen to develop a relationship with the sector here, and that a creative approach to acquiring and installing striking art in the workplace can bring benefits to your business.”

David Watson, CEO of XL RE Europe SE said:  “We are delighted to have purchased these art works and look forward to placing them throughout the building, bringing enjoyment to our staff and visitors. We were extremely pleased with the volume and quality of submissions and feel that it’s a real endorsement of talent in Ireland today.”