“The day the world understands that the reality of the imagination is as concrete as the reality of the physical world, a new era will begin”.
Salvador Dalí
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Dalí Universe is proud to announce its ongoing, prestigious collaboration with Gormleys Fine Art for the highly anticipated fourth edition of the “Art + Soul International Art and Sculpture Exhibition”.
This summer, from the 1st to the 28th of June 2026, the historic 220-acre grounds of the 18th-century Castlemartyr Resort in County Cork, Southern Ireland, are transformed into a magnificent, living canvas; an immersive, open-air gallery where the boundaries between dream and reality dissolve.
Following the immense success of last year’s exhibition, which drew over 10,000 cultural enthusiasts, Art + Soul returns as one of Ireland’s largest and most eagerly anticipated cultural events.
The exhibition bridges the gap between historical mastery and modern subversion. Under one sky, visitors can explore a vibrant array of celebrated contemporary Irish artists alongside global icons of the art world, including Andy Warhol, Banksy, Damien Hirst, and Tracey Emin.
Yet, anchoring this spectacular universe of creativity is the presence of Salvador Dalí, represented by meticulously selected sculptures and graphic works from the Dalí Universe Collection.
Salvador Dalí’s monumental bronze sculpture, the Unicorn, created by the Master of Surrealism in 1977, is being exhibited this year on the grounds in front of Castlemartyr Castle.
In this bronze, Dalí orchestrates a sublime tribute to his eternal muse, Gala, echoing his autobiographical description of her “mounted on the Unicorn of my Fate”. The creature’s singular horn pierces a stone wall through a heart-shaped opening from which blood drips, symbolising the intense, raw bond of their absolute love.
For the artist, this mythical beast merges his lifelong obsession with nature’s perfect logarithmic spirals, such as rhinoceros horns, with the eternal power of his love for Gala.
While the estate’s exterior grounds invite visitors to experience art en plein air, where over 100 life-size, outdoor sculptures are strategically positioned to blend organically with the natural environment, the interior spaces of the 18th-century manor house tell a more intimate story.
Inside the resort, the spaces have been transformed into elegant art lounges housing more than 200 artworks. Among them, guests can marvel at a beautiful selection of Dalí’s multiple sculptures and rare graphic works.
These graphic works offer a rare, intimate glimpse into the Master’s drafts, showing how his fluid, paranoid-critical method translated onto paper with meticulous precision.
It is an extraordinary opportunity to experience Dalí’s genius in two distinct dimensions: the monumental, bronze presence outside, and the exquisite selection of limited-edition sculptures and graphic works displayed within the indoor spaces.
As Salvador Dalí famously observed, “A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others”. Through “Art + Soul International Art and Sculpture Exhibition”, Gormleys and the Dalí Universe aim to do exactly that: ignite the imagination of every visitor by placing timeless masterpieces in entirely new, evocative environments.
To completely subvert the ordinary, Castlemartyr Resort is offering exclusive cultural experiences for the duration of the exhibition. Visitors can immerse themselves further into the Art + Soul atmosphere with specially curated overnight stay rates, a themed Afternoon Tea, and private dining opportunities designed to mirror the artistic luxury of the exhibition.
- Dates: 1st – 28th June 2026
- Opening Hours: Open daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM