Aosdána | Beginnings

Aosdána | Beginnings chronicles one of Ireland’s most prestigious creative arts organisations as it enters a fifth decade of the visionary support programme. Reflecting on its historical significance and ever-changing existing landscape, the publication strives to underline its value, significance and plan for the future.

The publication is hardback with a white cloth cover, Swiss bound with a white textile binding strip. Encasing the hard cover is a fold down dust jacket and when unfolded, reveals Mairead O'hEocha’s ‘Thinking Statue’ artwork. 

The front cover of the dust jacket is emblazoned with a foil coated, simplified version of Aosdána’s symbol, the Torc, a neck ornament given to an elected Saoifor singular and sustained distinction in the arts. This reduced symbol is echoed through a blind deboss on the hard cover with the detailed symbol appearing on the first text page. A bronze metallic ink is used sparingly throughout the body text, jumping out in key points such as pull quotes. Full solid bronze chapter breaks house member artwork in full colour, acting in juxtaposition to the black and white imagery throughout the text pages.

Each year the membership of Aosdána meets for a General Assembly, to elect new members, agree matters of policy and procedure, undertake an analysis and review of the various organisational activities. The 41st General Assembly, held in UCD Dublin, marked the first Assembly held since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the day, each current member of Aosdána received one of these special edition books.