The idea of the collaborative approach underpinning this group exhibition came about with the gallerist's approaching 60th birthday celebrations and his decision to commission two of his artists, namely Yanny Petters and Hugh Cummins, to create a work of art combining their signature practices: verre églomisé for Yanny Petters and wood veneers for Hugh Cummins. The 'four-hand' piece titled Alatus features in the show.

In James Joyce's Ulysses, "collaboration" is not just a behind-the-scenes activity but a core thematic and structural principle. It manifests through the cooperative labor of women who made the book possible, the radical "co- authorship" required of the reader, and the intermingling of diverse cultural influences.

With these considerations in mind, the Olivier Cornet Gallery has asked its group of artists to work with another artist of their choosing, on a free theme.

The artists Yanny Petters and Hugh Cummins have produced two single pieces combining their signature media of verre églomisé and wood. In a series of dialogues through works created individually, Mary Fitzgerald invited the artist Marc Reilly - Nickie Hayden the artist Caroline Patten - David Fox the artist Gary Kearney - Kelly Ratchford the artist Ali Moore. Vicky Smith has worked with her young daughter Saoirse while Eoin Mac Lochlainn has collaborated with the poet Geraldine Mitchell.