Gals, this is major.

So I have always said that the beauty industry is an art form. From creating incredible makeup looks to putting together mini works of art on nails - there's a serious amount of skill out there. Which is why I am DELIGHTED to see this art being recognised here in Ireland. The stunners at Tropical Popical have teamed up the National Gallery of Ireland to launch R E N A I L S S A N C E. What is this, I hear you ask? Well, it's a display celebrating a yearlong creative partnership which saw the nail bar responding to both the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions at the Gallery. UNREAL. R E N A I L S S A N C E will see the Millennium Wing Studio transformed into a tropical paradise (YAS). The exhibition will feature an Irish fashion showcase from stylist and creative director Aisling Farinella and fashion photographer Eilish McCormick, which will include detailed images of the multiple artistic responses, mixed media installations, real nail art and more! The seeds for this collaboration began when the Gallery Education Team connected with Tropical Popical on the internationally renowned 2017 exhibition, Inspiration and Rivalry: Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting. And so, a dream partnership was born. The result was ‘Dutch Golden Details’ – a contemporary response to the 17th century masterpieces, which created wearable art, provoked dialogue around high and low artforms, and connected new audiences with both the Gallery and the nail bar. The relationship bloomed, and in June 2018, a yearlong creative partnership was announced. The partnership was designed to make collections and exhibitions more accessible, for historic artworks to provide rich inspiration for new creative practices and to continue the conversation on culture, critique, aesthetics and taste. To support the exhibition, a full public programme of activities and events have been devised for all ages and abilities. And we're gasping for them tbh. The lineup will include live fine art printing and wearable art creation by dynamic design duo Jill & Gill; nail art classes for kids and adults; a special evening event with contributors from the international world of fashion; talks; tours and workshops. So yeah, there's something for everyone. Plus the talented Tropical Popical gals will work live in the studio on certain days, doing what they do best… utilising the smallest of canvases to bring art to everyone’s fingertips. Now, that's my kind of art lads. R E N A I L S S A N C E will be open from 18 July – 12 September 2019 in the Millennium Wing Studio of The National Gallery.