Exhibitions
Dunamaise Gallery hosts up to 8 exhibitions annually as well as professional development seminars and networking events for visual artists. Gallery visits for art students and Artists Talks for all audiences welcome people in, to explore the work on show as well learn more about the artists’ careers, their creative practices and processes.
Exhibitions are programmed through a mix of selections from Open Calls, direct invitation and community focused projects. Sometimes tied into the performing arts programme or the calendar of local and national events, each year exhibitions feature work in a variety of media and include solo and group shows.
The next opportunity to apply for an exhibition will be widely advertised in summer 2021, for exhibitions 2021-2024. Guidelines and application details will be posted here at that time.
In the meantime, please enjoy exploring our online Exhibitions below. We look forward to welcoming you back into Dunamaise Gallery as soon as circumstances allow.
Artist's Showcase at Caffe Latte
Less formal, month long presentations of a small number of works, suitable for a family audience and a cafe setting. Details here.
Apply via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Joe Hogan
An exhibition of non functional baskets by award winning basket maker Joe Hogan opened on Friday September 9th.
On opening night, Joe gave a talk on the tradition and contemporary practice of basket making and was a wonderful opportunity to meet this remarkable basket maker and gain an insight into his practice. To view pictures from the talk and opening click here.
"I was drawn to basketmaking because willow growing provided an opportunity to live rurally and develop a real understanding for a particular place . Over the last 30 years I have found it a very satisfying occupation. I aim to make work to my own standards since this is what is fulfilling and keeps me wanting to spend time in my workshop. I take some time each year to try new ideas and to make new designs but I also value repetition and the fluency it develops.
For the past 10 years or so I have become increasingly interested in making non-functional baskets, some of which involve the use of found pieces of wood. I also sometimes use twigs with cones or catkins on them. This work is prompted by a desire to develop a deeper connection to the natural world." Joe Hogan, 2010
Ruth McDonnell
THE ENHANCED SIGN
An Exhibition by Ruth McDonnell
The Dunamaise Arts Centre presents The Enhanced Sign, an exhibition of new paintings by Ruth McDonnell which was opened during afternoon tea and conversation between the artist and Commissioning Editor RTÉ Television, Sheila de Courcy on Saturday 5th November. A drawing workshop also took place with Ruth McDonnell on the same day at 10.30am-12.30pm.
The paintings in this exhibition are informed by the visual language of cinema. By selecting films that have left a personal impact McDonnell explores those details that define character, location and period.
In lens-based media props and costumes are employed as devices to serve the narrative or used as metaphors to enhance visual meanings.
By isolating these objects and removing them from their original context, location and accompanying soundtrack the interpretive process is multiplied, each viewer participating in evoking new sets of personal memories and unique conclusions.
Ruth McDonnell studied at the NCAD and The Medway College of Design in Kent. She worked as a Production Buyer in the Design Department in RTE for many years while exhibiting widely as a textile artist. In 1996 she began a Fine Art Diploma in Dun Laoghaire IADT then went to DIT where she was awarded a BA in Fine Art in 2002.
She has undertaken a number of residencies. Awards include the Student Printmaking Award by the RDS, Thomas Dammann Jr travel bursary. The Arts Council bursary 2004 and 2008. She has participated in a diverse range of selected group exhibitions and her work is featured in public and private collections
This exhibition at Dunamaise Arts Centre is her second solo show and will continue until 3rd December.
Aisling Conroy
Transcendental Spaces and Zones of Autonomy
Friday October 7th - 30th
Working with notions of the infinite and with transcendental spaces,Aisling's work explores human perception within an autonomous zone. Her work uses artificial and optical illusionary methods to create a space of sensory experience. With this, the work engenders a sense of false transcendence and uses these sensory elements as catalyst to transcend the participant within in the space. Aisling's practise has been drawing ideas from colour theory,sound technology,meditation and Yogi Art .She is a multi-disciplinary artist using drawing,print,sculpture, sound and installation.
Friday, October 7th at 7 pm
Admission free, all welcome
Level - Open Exhibition
The Dunamaise Arts Centre will open its third Open Submission exhibition with the new name ‘level’ on Friday 17th July featuring work by selected artists. An exciting new development in the Dunamaise Visual Arts programme, both in its approach and its curation, the exhibition will feature 28 pieces which have been selected by guest curator Bernadette Madden. The artists exhibiting include Cora O’Brien, Brendan O’Flaherty, Bernie Masterson, Bennie Reilly, Conor Walton, Aoife Barrett, Stephen Lawlor, Joe Dunne, Bridget Flinn, Mary Burke, Stephen Lawlor, Eoin MacLochlainn, Lorraine Walsh, Joe Dunne, Cora O’Brien, Myra Jago, Paul MacCormaic, Heidi Nguyen, Maria O’Brien, Angela Fewer, Eileen Mills and Balazs Keresztury.
