An artist who is supported by Cope Foundation and Suisha Arts says it is a lifelong dream to be able to sell his work and be acknowledged as an artist. Florin Nolan from Cobh will launch his first ever art exhibition on Saturday, December 3rd at Cork City Library. 

The exhibition is called “Floricoland” and its opening takes place on International Day of Persons with Disabilities which aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society. 

The showing features fine art paintings, sculptures and a stop-motion animation which Florin wrote and produced. His work features vibrant characters and dream-like buildings. He uses his trademark watercolour and ink medium to paint aspects of his home town, Cork City and County. 

Florin was adopted from Romania and his three-dimensional work, based on animals and insects, reflects on his personal journey from the orphanage in Romania to his life with his family in Ireland.

This year, Florin received a mentoring award from the Arts Council’s Arts and Disability Connect Scheme and has been guided by East Cork artist John McHarg. The grant allowed Florin to concentrate fully on his art and to explore different mediums. 

Artist Florin Nolan said:

I am very proud that I have my first solo exhibition at Cork City Library. It has been a long life dream for me, and a dream for me to make art and be able to sell my art and be acknowledged as an artist. My art work brings me happiness, I am able to express myself and my exhibition is called Floricoland which spreads the joy.

Eoin Nash, Manager of Arts and Creative Arts Therapies with Cope Foundation, added:

I have had the pleasure of working and creating with Florin for a number of years now. His creativity and creative output are a celebration of artistic potential being realised.  Florin brings colour and hope to physical environments which nourish the spaces and people who experience it.  Florin is an inspiration to other emerging artists and a beacon of hope for arts work that has remained on the peripheries for too long.  This exhibition puts Florin and his work centre stage.

Floricoland opens at Cork City Library at 1pm on Saturday, December 3rd and runs until Saturday December 31st. 

Cope Foundation will also mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities with a special event on Harley Street on December 3rd. The event which aims to shine a spotlight on inclusion gets underway at 10.00am and is being held in collaboration with Trigon Hotels. 

There will be complimentary festive treats and an opportunity to speak with people supported by Cope Foundation, its staff as well as team members from Trigon Hotels about inclusion. People will also be encouraged to donate to the charity’s virtual giving page Light Up Cork. To light up a star online visit www.lightupcork.ie

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