Having made art for the past 36 years under the name of Patrick Ireland, Irish-born artist Brian O'Doherty will re-adopt his birth name on May 20 at the Irish Museum of Modern Art. A ceremonial burial of the artist's alter ego will take place, including the entombment of a coffin containing Patrick Ireland's effigy, the reading of poems, and a vocal performance by Irish artist Alannah O'Kelly. The ceremony will be followed by a "joyful wake" at the museum.

O'Doherty adopted his pseudonym in 1972 at the "Irish Exhibition of Living Art" at the Projects Arts Centre. In a performance in which the artist, clothed and masked in white, was painted orange and green by two assistants, he pledged to sign his works with the name Patrick Ireland until the British military presence was removed from Northern Ireland and civil rights were granted to all. The May 20 burial is a celebration of peace in the region.