Happy New Year to our readers and members, colleagues and friends!
The first VAN issue of 2025 features extensive coverage of VAI Get Together 2024, held at the Irish Museum of Modern Art on 19 November. Thomas Pool summarises the day’s proceedings, including the presentations and panel discussions happening in the IMMA Chapel. Also published in this issue is an abbreviated transcript of the conversation between Joanne Laws and invited keynote speaker, pioneering American artist, Joan Jonas, whom we were thrilled to welcome back to Dublin.
In the first of a new Wellbeing Column Series for VAN Jan/Feb 2025 issue, Aoibheann Greenan offers advice for cultivating playfulness in one’s creative practice. Among Exhibition Profiles for this issue, we hear about ‘Periodical Review 14’ at Pallas Projects/Studios, ‘Skin / Deep’ at Photo Museum Ireland, and ‘Blue of Distance’ at Sarah Walker Gallery. This issue also includes Member Profiles on the work of VAI members Elizabeth Cope, Mandy O’Neill, and Luke van Gelderen.
In addition, the Critique Section for this issue explores a timely selection of regional projects. This includes a series of artist farm walks in counties Leitrim and Fermanagh; a site-responsive intervention at Goldenbridge Cemetery in Dublin; fabrication projects at the National Sculpture Factory in Cork; and a series of new commissions for public sites around Belfast.
On The Cover
Adam Fung, The Gathering, 2024, oil on copper panel; image courtesy of the artist and Sarah Walker Gallery.
First Pages
- News. The latest developments in the arts sector.
- Roundup. Exhibitions and events from the past two months.
Columns
- Our Allotted Time. Cornelius Browne reports on his oil painting master class in Twin Towns Community Garden.
The Joy of Everyday. Helena Tobin considers the work of KCAT Studio artist Eileen Mulrooney.
- Make Play a Habit! Aoibheann Greenan offers advice for cultivating more playfulness in your creative practice.
What Do Street Lamps Dream Of? Monika Crowley discusses a site-specific sculpture commissioned by EV+A in 2004.
- Notes on Being Human. Neva Elliott chronicles her return to art practice which includes an emphasis on making as healing.
Archiving Plurality: A Collaborative Process. Alessia Cargnelli discusses a recent research project for NIVAL.
- Feed the Soil. Karla Sánchez uses soil as an analogy for art world ecologies.
Swimming a Long Way Together. Vanessa Daws discusses her durational art project inspired by Mercedes Gleitze.
Career Development
- Libraries Of Rest. Aoife Donnellan speaks with Ciara Barker about current concerns in her practice.
Project Profile
- Art and the City. Niamh Darling reports on a recent project for Dublin Fringe Festival 2024.
- Mammary Mountain. Tara Baoth Mooney discusses her immersive virtual reality artwork which premiered in Venice.
Exhibition Profile
- Periodical Review 14. Miguel Amado discusses his curatorial contribution to the latest showcase at Pallas Projects/Studios.
- Skin / Deep. Day Magee reviews the current exhibition at Photo Museum Ireland.
- A Woman’s Place. Colin Darke considers the work of Jo Spence currently being presented in Belfast.
- Blue of Distance. Yvonne Scott responds to a recent group exhibition at Sarah Walker Gallery.
Critique: Regional Projects
- Clodagh Emoe and Donal Lally, ALTAR, Goldenbridge Cemetery.
- Farm Walks, Counties Leitrim and Fermanagh
- ALTAR at Goldenbridge Cemetery
- TEK to Tech at National Sculpture Factory
- Psyche II at National Sculpture Factory
- Red Sky at Night in Belfast
Residency
- Into the Furnace. James L. Hayes outlines his residency at Sloss Metal Arts in Birmingham, Alabama.
Festival / Biennial
- Nurture Gaia. Brian Curtin discusses his role as one of the curators of the Bangkok Art Biennale 2024.
- The Salvage Agency. EL Putnam reviews TULCA Festival.
VAI Event
- Get Together 2024. Thomas Pool reports on Get Together.
- Poetic Structure. Joanne Laws interviews Joan Jonas.
Member Profile
- The Rhythm of Life. Ella De Búrca interviews Elizabeth Cope about the evolution of her painting practice.
- Best Laid Plans. Mandy O’Neill reflects on her exhibition at the Irish Architectural Archive.
- Hardcore Fencing. Seán Kissane outlines the practice of Dublin-based artist Luke van Gelderen.
Last Pages
- Public Art Roundup. Works beyond the gallery.
- VAI Lifelong Learning. Helpdesks, cafés, and webinars.