Previous Exhibitions
Jen Donnery Mater Materia
Jen Donnery Mater Materia
Mater Materia questions the persistent belief that a “good” artist must be entirely devoted to their practice; that a “good” mother must give herself to the act of raising her children, and that one role excludes the other.
The intention of this body of work is to evoke empathy around the challenges of maintaining an artistic practice and sense of identity within the context of motherhood; Jen Donnery Mater Materia
9 October – December 2020
Children of the Free State
by Annie Holland
14 August - 19 September, 2020
In the past 2 years, Laois artist, Annie Holland has begun conversations with older people from rural Laois born before or just after 1922, taking photograpic portraits and engaging in conversations about the past and the present. These conversations create the framework for the exhibition ‘Children of the Free State’ which takes place at Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise from 14 August to 19 September 2020.
Using photography and video, Annie focuses on how the process of documentation and storytelling can itself create space, physically and emotionally, for real dialogue and the narration of personal stories - past and present. She also explores old family photos, dating back generations, as the only tangible bridge that connects the past with the present and her photographs that will connect current and future generations.
Speaking about her work, Annie says: 'I believe that the past of any human being is never permanent, but constantly being reconstructed in the present.’
The project offers an enquiry and perspective into ‘A Sense of Place’ the overarching theme of the Laois Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018 – 2022. It encompasses and articulates our socio-cultural heritage through a range of art media. The photographic and video materials will form part of the Laois County Library Digital Repository and Archive.
Supported by Dunamaise Arts Centre and Creative Ireland Laois, as part of the Creative Ireland Programme 2018-2022 in partnership with Laois County Council.
Link to Annie's blog where there is more information and images from the install.
Limerick Printmakers at 20
Limerick Printmakers at 20
6 March - 2 May
Celebrating the studio’s twenty year anniversary in 2019 with a declaration of intent by the studio and its members, featuring 46 new large-scale prints by 23 participating artists. This collection of new prints illustrates the innovation, diversity, technical prowess, and spirit of experimentation that is central to printmaking as an art form. limerickprintmakers.com
See dunamaise.ie
Artists include: Eoin Barry, Deitrich Blodau, Mike Byrne, Aine Finnegan, Brian Fitzgerald, Deirdre Gallagher, Helena Grimes, Gavin Hogg, Carol Kennedy, Dan Kenny, David Lilburn, Des MacMahon, Ultan McAvinue, Mary O’ Dea, Tony O’ Loughlin, Suzannah O’ Reilly, Kate O’ Shea, Fiona Quill, Rowena Quill, Jim Sheehy, Verona Stellet, Clodagh Twomey, & Isabella Walsh.
UNLOCK
UNLOCK
11 January - 29 February
This exhibition provides a unique insight on the number of people in custody who take up art as a means of self-expression and how participation in art and craft classes regularly unlocks genuine talent in prisoners, giving rise to the title of the exhibition and the many impressive examples of stained glass, ceramics, weaving, jewellery, etc., showcased in UNLOCK.
Supported by Irish Prison Service | The Arts Council | Irish Prison Education Association | Kilmainham Gaol | Laois Offaly Education and Training Board | JP McManus Trust
