Ireland: Seeing is Believing - Art as a doorway to mystery

Knock Shrine

Four International art experts will be sharing their insights on 'Art as a doorway to mystery' at Knock Shrine on Saturday, 8 June.

Fr Patrick van der Vorst is a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Westminster. Patrick was born and raised in Bruges, Belgium. Before being ordained to the priesthood in June 2023, he worked for 25 years in the art world. A former Director of Sotheby's Europe, in 2010 he set up his own online art valuation company and appeared on BBC's Dragon's Den.

Patrick launched the popular website: Gospel in Art (also featured daily on ICN) before starting at seminary. In his daily reflections, Fr Patrick combines his knowledge of the arts with the Gospel.

Dr Caroline Campbell is Director of the National Gallery of Ireland and is the first female director in the Gallery's 158-year history. Dr Campbell has spent her career in three leading international art museums as a curator and senior leader. She has held positions at Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, the Courtauld Gallery and the National Gallery in London and has worked as Director of Collections and Research at the National Gallery, London.

Dr Nora Donnelly is an Educator and Art Critic as well as an artist. She has taught both at Primary and University levels and written extensively about the value of the experience of art to humankind.

Grace Mulqueen, Curator at Knock Museum will lead the audience on a journey through the wide variety of artworks at Knock Shrine, by renowned artists including Harry Clarke, Imogen Stuart, Ger Sweeney, PJ Lynch, Roisin De Buitléar, Lorenzo Ferri and Timothy P Schmalz.

Grace will weave the story of Knock and its development from a typical small rural village in the 19th century to the international pilgrimage destination that it has become today.

Seeing is Believing - Art as a doorway to mystery takes place from 10.30am to 4pm. For more information and advanced booking click HERE