The shortlist for the 2022 RCSI Art Award in association with the RHA Annual Exhibition and The Irish Times, which recognises the connection between art and healing, has been announced.

The five artworks were selected from 570 works that will be on display at the 192nd RHA Annual Exhibition 2022, Ireland’s largest and longest running exhibition of visual art.

The shortlisted works are: ‘Glen’ by Colin Davidson, ‘Edging on Chaos’ by Taffina Flood, ‘Inner Sphere’ by Andrea Kavanagh, ‘Cages’ by Laurence O’Toole and ‘Aggregate Restoration Disco’ by John Rainey.

Professor Cathal Kelly, RCSI Vice Chancellor, said: “As a focused health sciences institution, RCSI aims to enhance human health through innovation and collaboration, inspiring our students, researchers and trainees. Medicine, art and healing have long been intertwined. Over the last few decades, a growing body of research has shown the impact of the arts in improving wellbeing and health. Now in its seventh year, the RCSI Art Award continues to deliver an outstanding shortlist of artworks which inspire those who view them. We look forward to announcing the winner this summer.”

All works of art, in any medium, selected for the 192nd RHA Annual Exhibition were considered for the RCSI Art Award. The winner will be announced before the exhibition closes. The recipient will be awarded €5,000 and the RCSI silver medal and will be invited to submit a proposal for a new work for 118 St Stephen’s Green, the next phase of RCSI’s campus development in Dublin city centre.

The RCSI Art Award in association with The Irish Times was established in 2016 to celebrate the common heritage of RCSI and the RHA and the long-standing association between art, medicine and wellbeing. Previous winners of the award include Domino Whisker, Colin Martin and Mary A. Kelly. 

The RHA Annual Exhibition showcases painting, sculpture, photography, drawing and architectural models by RHA Members, invited artists and work entered through an open submission process. 

Find further information on the RHA Annual Exhibition, which runs until 24 July.