Helen O'Leary's exhibition in Rome is inspired by the Sancta Sanctorum.

17 April-17 May. Rome's Sala 1 presents the first Italian exhibition of Irish artist Helen O'Leary, winner of the American Academy in Rome Prize 2018-2019 in Visual Arts with her project Safe House.

The work takes inspiration from the Sancta Sanctorum (literally "the holiest of holies”), the ancient private chapel of the popes located in the complex of the Scala Santa, where the Sala 1 gallery is also located.

O’Leary’s works give a contemporary interpretation to the priceless treasures found in the cypress wooden casket, or ark, hidden away for centuries in the Sancta Sanctorum before being moved to the Vatican in 1906.

O'Leary displays assembled fragments of materials and sculptures in an apparently random way in the gallery, replicating the creative emphasis of a craftsman's workshop.

For exhibition details see Sala 1 website.