Ideas always acquire appearance veils, the attitudes that people acquire of their time and earlier time. Really good artists tear down those veils.'' -Francis Bacon

Ireland, the land of saints and scholars, has produced a rich history of artists, writers and thinkers throughout the ages. However when one views Irish art on the contemporary, global scheme, the unifying watermark or ''scene'' is often sporadic, timid or simply household with few unifying factors.

Within the confines of the country itself, and with the onset of the recession, an exciting overlap of industrious, artist led communities have merged with professional institutions to create a highly progressive and boundary pushing arts movement. Ireland has become a melting pot for collaboration with its various biennials, artist run spaces, and national art centers.

Irish Art Does Not Exist weaves together work from twelve Irish born, contemporary artists in the heart of the art world, with themes ranging from the global politics and philosophy to abstract reasoning and the intimately personal.