Niall Scott, Scott Tallon & Walker, James Hanley RHA, Diana Copperwhite ARHA, Brian O’Gorman, Arthur Cox & Andrew Hetherington at the Arthur . Picture Conor McCabe Photography

On April 10^th, we celebrated the first event in our 30^th Anniversary series with our partner Arthur Cox. Each of our events throughout this special year will showcase various strands of our work and different art forms.  The event, hosted at the beautiful new Arthur Cox offices with interiors designed by Scott Tallon and Walker, located at Earlsfort Terrace, provided our corporate members the opportunity to explore the law firm’s art collection, which has been developed over a number of decades. Our panel discussion lead by Andrew Hetherington, Chief Executive, Business to Arts included artists James Hanley RHA, Diana Copperwhite ARHA, Niall Scott, Scott Tallon and Walker and Brian O’Gorman, Managing Partner, Arthur Cox.

Here are some thoughts from Andrew on the occasion:

The Arthur Cox Art Collection is a selection of art works that Business to Arts have had the pleasure to re-present with Arthur Cox at Ten Earlsfort Terrace. Working in partnership, we have audited, assessed the condition, conserved, reconditioned, curated and installed the collection during their move to this beautiful new building. I know the entire team involved have taken great pride in doing this.

“Corporate art collections are a vital part of our culture on two counts. They enhance the working environment of so many who work indoors through works that celebrate, capture or challenge the wider world outside. Secondly the collections are a major support for many artists at various stages of their careers, not just financially, but also by the inclusion into prestigious and influential business worlds.” James Hanley RHA

Rachel Hussey & Brian O Gorman with Andrew Hetherington at the Arthur Cox offices on Earslfort Terrace. Picture Jason Clarke

A number of themes are evident in the collection. The first is ‘Memory’. Each artwork represents a time, a building, a person, an event or a location in Arthur Cox’s history and memories of that time. The second theme is ‘Colour’. Modern buildings like this one are bright and full of glass. Neutral tones help create a relaxing environment. The artworks help to bring colour to walls and spaces throughout the building. Their effect is similar to the effect of Arthur Cox people in a building. They are part of the character, life and soul of Arthur Cox. Another theme is ‘Tranquillity’. In this collection, there are many abstract paintings and prints, which introduce a variety of geometric shapes to the collection. They are balanced, architectural and meditative and bring a sense of calm to the building.

“Architects should be encouraged to have a strong interest in the visual Arts – this vital interest can only have a beneficial impact on design quality” Niall Scott, Scott Tallon & Walker.

Works by Diana Copperwhite, Caoimhe Kilfeather, Richard Gorman and Patrick Scott in this collection embody these themes. Their artworks could be considered central elements of the collection, which have influenced how the collection has been gathered and is now presented.

“Being included in a corporate collection ensures that an artist’s work is visible to a wider audience. Being hung and included in publications with other artists that you admire validates your own position further” Diana Copperwhite ARHA, artist.  

Arthur Cox have developed this collection modestly and gradually over time. In doing so, they have created a collection with many layers of value to their organisation. Combined with Arthur Cox’s other sponsorship and CSR activity in the arts, it represents a sustained and significant commitment to the arts.

We look forward to seeing Arthur Cox’s art collection evolve in years to come.

Gerard McNaughton, Helen Carroll, Rachel Hussey and Andrew Hetherington at Arthur Cox. Photograph by Jason Clarke

Thank you to Brian O’Gorman, Rachel Hussey, Jean Maxwell and Anne Frain of Arthur Cox for supporting our 30^th Anniversary programme. Thank you to our former colleague Margarita Vasquez who worked closely with Arthur Cox on their collection.

If you would like to learn more about how you can build a corporate art collection, one of the Business to Arts team would be happy to talk you. Contact Eileen here.

We are delighted to announce that Simone Macleod-Nairn has been appointed to the board of Business to Arts. Simone was born in Ireland and educated in the US and Ireland. She returned to Ireland in 2017 to join Irish Life as Executive Director, Head of HR and Corporate Resources, following a successful career in the UK. Simone has a strong track record supporting major Financial Services companies to develop and deliver their people strategy, most recently in HSBC, and prior to that in Standard Bank, ABN AMRO, and Merrill Lynch. She has a Postgraduate in HR Strategies and Development (Incl. CIPD) from the London Guildhall University.

We are delighted to announce that Teresa McColgan has been appointed to the board of Business to Arts.Teresa is a tax partner in PwC’s Private Business Services group, where her clients include family businesses and law firms. She is the Irish lead for PwC’s Global Family Business NextGen Club, an international network of young professionals, entrepreneurs and successors in family businesses, and is a key member of the team managing PwC’s partnership with the Centre for Family Business in DCU.

Teresa also leads PwC Ireland’s not-for profit practice, working with a broad cross-section of the sector from business associations to charities, including educational and health institutions. She is a member of the Statutory Consultative Panel on the Governance of Charitable Organisations established in 2017 by the Irish Charities Regulatory Authority.

An accountant (FCCA) and tax adviser (CTA), Teresa is also a Chartered Director.  She has been a board member of Concern Worldwide since 2009, and chairs its Finance Committee.