Towards artistic mediocrity by 2016

Traditional and contemporary crafts are exhibited in the Octagon gallery opposite.  Despite the displays being marginally better hung than previous years', the 'Fine Art' section of the exhibition is sadly and predictably weak.  In the painting and drawing sections we are treated to the same level of mediocre image-making we have come to expect of this annual National show.

The paintings on display show a range of  technical skills, but rarely any trace of conceptual maturity.  The best work is displayed at the back of the space in quiet corners.  Wendy Borello's exsquisite landscapes certainly look out of place in the overall selection of work and are done no favours in their placement.  The Kuru Art Project work is as attractive as ever in terms of its decorative impact, colour combination and quirky image juxtaposition but I see no new development here.