Have you any early memories of being interested in art?
Yes, as a child I was labelled the ‘creative’ one, although I think every child is inherently creative. Nevertheless, I leaned into my love of colours and enjoyed using natural pigments like blackberries when playing outside.
I grew up in rural Donegal so many of my formative artistic experiences occurred almost exclusively in the natural world observing shapes, forms and patterns in my surroundings.
Did you get support at home?
I did, I was always encouraged to explore my artistic interests – especially by my mother, who is a keen painter.
Did you get support at school?
My secondary school art teacher, Anna Kee of St. Catherine’s Vocational School in Killybegs was the most important support throughout my academic career. She was very attuned to her students’ strengths and nurtured them. Her class was an oasis for my friends and I.
I remember distinctly her class on Velazquez’s ‘Las Meninas’ and realising that artworks hold many stories within them, they suddenly felt like portals, worlds within worlds that could tell us about social history and the human condition.4
Did you go on to study art at college or university?
I studied History of Art at Trinity College followed by a Masters in Curation at University College Dublin.
How did you develop your craft?
Curation is process-based and informed by ongoing research and study. I continue to develop my craft by forging relationships with artists I admire, by conducting studio visits, continual research and engagement with relevant communities.
What are the key ideas you investigate through your work?
My practice tends to deal with isolated communities, although most recently I have become interested in the idea of Utopia.
How long did it take to pull together the present exhibition?
It was a long but fragmented process due to having a full time job, but it spanned over 1 year, from the conceptualisation of the theme, to the production of the artwork and finally the installation at Belfast Exposed in July.
Where to now?
I hope to expand my practice beyond curation. I intend to focus on writing and producing material expressions of my research.
You can see the photographic exhibition De-Growth Utopia at Belfast Exposed Gallery on the 2nd Floor. The exhibition will continue till the end of August 2024.
Website thumbnail – (headshot) – by Ró Dennis
