Dublin student Jenny Ring (18), has been selected to represent Ireland in an exhibition at the Tate Modern in London.
The student from St Paul's Secondary School, Greenhills, Dublin 12, is excited and honoured to be included in the show. "I couldn't believe it in the beginning - I didn't even realise what a big deal it was at first," said Jenny.
The exhibition, which opened yesterday, is the culmination of an education project which asks schools and colleges from around the world to create artworks inspired by a theme.
This year's theme, "Dreams and Reality", was inspired by Test Site, a work by German artist Carsten Höller now on display at the Tate Modern. The exhibition, which consists of giant slides in the museum's Turbine Hall, has attracted about a million visitors.
"My piece is a close-up of a chain-link, so it's a representation of the link between our dreams and our reality."
Paul Murphy, chairman of Unilever Ireland, which sponsors the event, praised the young artist. "This is the first year that we have invited Irish students to participate and we are delighted to have an Irish representative in the final 19 exhibits," he said. "The work received this year was of a very high standard and it is a credit to Jenny and her teachers that her artwork was chosen."
While Jenny hopes to continue painting, she is unsure about making art her career. "Maybe graphic design," she said. The exhibition is at the Tate Modern until March 30th, and then moves to London's National Theatre til April 21st.