Speaker Marks the Arrival of the Giro d’Italia
8 May 2014 12:47 PM
The
Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr William Hay MLA, launched an
exhibition in Parliament Buildings entitled "The Art of Cycling" by
local artist Deepa Mann-Kler. The exhibition celebrates the industrial heritage
of Belfast alongside the arrival of the Giro d'Italia and incorporates
iconic Belfast landmarks which will be seen along the route of the Giro
d'Italia.
The
exhibition is supplemented with a penny-farthing bicycle on loan from the
Ulster Museum, a state of the art racing bike loaned by Slane
Cycles.
The
winning entries in a children's art competition, which was delivered by
Sport Northern Ireland and asked local schoolchildren to design a cycling
jersey, are also on display.
Speaker William Hay MLA said: "I am delighted to
host this wonderful art exhibition by Deepa Mann-Kler. This is a great way for
the Assembly to celebrate the arrival of the Giro d'Italia in Northern
Ireland and I am very pleased to be a part of it. I am grateful to the artist
for allowing her work to be displayed here in Parliament Buildings and to the
Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and Slane Cycles for loaning bicycles to
complement the exhibition.
"Parliament Buildings hosts many art exhibitions
and it is only fitting that we host this one as part of the events leading up
to the Giro d'Italia. I would encourage the public to come up to the
building, view all of our artwork and take one of our guided tours. I have
often said that this building belongs to the people it represents and the art
exhibitions are a great way to highlight that."
Sport Northern Ireland Chief Executive Antoinette
McKeown also welcomed the event saying: "It is extremely positive to see
another high profile sporting event coming to Northern Ireland and events such
as this exhibition help to instil a sense of ownership, excitement and
celebration.
"To have the winning and shortlisted entries from
our schools art competition included at this event is a fantastic opportunity
for the children and we hope they are very proud to be on display here. This
competition was just one element of a range of activities delivered by Sport
Northern Ireland through its Activ8 Giro Schools Engagement Programme which has
helped to build excitement for the Giro d'Italia. In addition, the
programme is encouraging our children and young people to use the Giro
d'Italia as inspiration to get involved in cycling so ensuring a legacy
from this prestigious event."
Notes to Editors:
The
Art of Cycling exhibition will be on display in Parliament Buildings from 7 May
to 23 May 2014.
Artist Deepa Mann-Kler's subjects have included Sean
Kelly, Stephen Roche, Mark Cavendish, Sir Bradley Wiggins, Marco Pantani and
Fausto Coppi.
Parliament Buildings is open to the public between
9.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday. Free guided tours are available Monday
– Friday at 10.00am and 3.00pm. Please note that Parliament Buildings
will not be open on Friday, 9 May.
Free tours are also available on the hour, every hour
between 10.00am–3.00pm during July and August and Halloween and Easter
Recess periods (please check the Northern Ireland Assembly website for further
details: http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/Visit-and-Learning/