Artwork
Lough Neagh
Lough Neagh is a drawing by Rita Donagh. It dates from 1983 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Rita Donagh’s drawing *Lough Neagh* from 1983 blends personal and political layers. Made during a tough time in Northern Ireland, it ties to the conflict called “the Troubles.”
The lake sits near a prison at the center of protests and hunger strikes. Maps of Ireland and Ulster appear in her 1980s work, reflecting the border dispute that still divides views.
Look up Donagh, Rita.
Overview
Lough Neagh is a 1983 drawing by Rita Donagh, part of a series exploring the conflict in Northern Ireland during the 1980s.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing references the disputed border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, a contentious issue between those seeking a united Ireland and those supporting Northern Ireland's ties to the UK. Lough Neagh's location near the Maze prison, a site of significant IRA protests and hunger strikes, adds to the work's political resonance.
Technique & Style
Donagh's work combines personal and political themes, often incorporating maps of Ireland and Ulster to convey the complexity of the conflict.
Context
The drawing was created during 'the Troubles', a period of violent conflict between the IRA, Protestant Loyalists, and the British government in Northern Ireland.
Artist & collection
Artist
Rita A Donagh is a British artist, known for her realistic paintings and painstaking draughtsmanship.
