An art exhibition celebrating the relationship between art and meat has drawn its name from the combination of the Irish word for meat (feoil) and knowledge (eolas).

'Feolas' can be seen at the 3rd floor atrium in Dunnes Stores Patrick Street, Cork city.

A featured attraction of the Cork-on-a-Fork festival, it was sponsored by James Whelan Butchers and curated by Sample-Studios, one of Ireland’s largest artist studios and creative workspaces, based in Cork city.

Showcasing Cork-based artists, Claire O’Reilly, Debbie Godsell and Jörg Koster, the work explores what and how we eat.

The exhibition was officially opened on August 13 by John and Sally McKenna, award-winning writers of the McKenna Guides, and will remain in place throughout August.

At the launch, John McKenna said: “Food and art are bedfellows, both being the result of the creative imagination.

"Whilst food satisfies our appetite, it's art that satisfies our souls.

"Cork is the Irish city that marches to the beat of its belly, a vital conduit for food, a vital conduit for contemporary cooking. Cork puts the art on the plate.

"Feolas puts the art in the gallery, and how marvellous to see the atrium of Dunnes Stores used in such an original and imaginative way."

McKenna congratulated Sample-Studios and James Whelan Butchers for creating "such an impressive and poignant exhibition".

Pat Whelan, CEO of the award-winning James Whelan Butchers, which is collaborating with Sample-Studios on the exhibition, said the vision of celebrating the connection between food and art is exactly what they wished for with the Feolas art exhibition.

He added: "Sample-Studios has been aligned to our vision from day one and have executed this fantastic display of art this evening.

"For James Whelan Butchers, this collaboration is about more than supporting an exhibition. Feolas gives us an opportunity to explore the connection between art and food in a fresh and exciting way."

Whelan also thanked his fellow residents of the Dunnes Stores food hall in Patrick Street.

"We have received such a warm welcome to Patrick Street from our fellow food producers and the wider retail community on a street that has such immense retail heritage.

"We are particularly mindful of this heritage, here in the very building where Dunnes Stores opened its first shop over 80 years ago.

"We are also delighted to have the opportunity for Feolas to be exhibited at this year’s Cork on a Fork Festival, and I hope Feolas will inspire everyone to look at both meat and art in a different way," Whelan said.

The launch event had the support of Network Ireland Cork branch, with over 50 of their members attending the launch.

The evening featured a panel discussion on the strong connections between art and food, and the importance of sustainable food production and consumption.

Panelists included: Jack O’Keeffe, Cork culinary lead, Gather & Gather; chef, Orla McAndrew; Dr. Matthew Whyte, development manager, Sample-Studio; and Darran Walsh, head of operations, James Whelan Butchers.

Diane Higgins, president of Network Ireland Cork, praised the exhibition.

She said: “Feolas is a fantastic example of what can happen when businesses, artists and the wider community come together around a shared vision.

"At Network Ireland, we are passionate about creating opportunities for our members to connect, collaborate and support the wider business and creative community," she said

"Events like this provide the perfect environment for those connections to happen in a relaxed and inspiring setting.

"We were delighted to be part of such a special launch and look forward to seeing Feolas continue to grow and engage audiences.”