I am constantly admiring the work of my friends, peers and other creatives in Cork

TELL us about yourself;

I am a curator based in Cork city. I am also a co-director of Bloomers, we are an artist-led publishers and arts organisation. Last year, as part of Bloomers’ 2023 programme I curated an exhibition of work by artist Sarah Long in St Luke’s Crypt. I also make zines and limited runs of artist books.

I completed a Masters in Curatorial Practice in Glasgow in 2022 and I am a graduate of the MTU Crawford College of Art and Design.

Where were you born?

I was born in Cork but grew up in Kenmare, Co. Kerry.

Where do you live?

Cork city.

Earliest childhood memory?

Visiting Santa at the Kenmare GAA Bazaar.

Person you most admire?

I am constantly admiring the work of my friends, peers and other creatives in Cork.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

Athens, Greece, in 2019. Seeing the Acropolis was such an experience.

Favourite TV programme?

I love Twin Peaks and Star Trek. Most recently I’ve been obsessed with Handmade: Britain’s Best Woodworker.

Favourite radio show?

I listen to podcasts more than the radio. I listen a lot to The Blindboy Podcast, Fire Draw Near by Lankum’s Ian Lynch and The Almanac of Ireland with Manchán Magan.

Favourite restaurant?

Cork has a fantastic selection of places to eat. I am a massive fan of Izz Café. Their manooshet falafel wrap and cinnamon buns are my favourite.

Last book you read?

Minor Monuments by Ian Maleney. It’s a beautiful read, set on a family farm in the Midlands.

Best book you read?

Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa is one of my more recent favourites as well as Lote by Shola von Reinhold.

Recently, I attended the Cork Zine Fest where I purchased some beautiful publications from Exile - a pop-up, micro-bookshop based in Cork.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

I have been playing Big Dreams by Rachel Lavelle consistently over the last few months. Dove From Above by Laurie Shaw is another album I’ve had on a lot recently.

Favourite song?

This changes all the time. The ones that have stayed with me over the years include Rhinestone Cowboy by Glen Campbell, The Wonder of You by Elvis and Army Dreamers by Kate Bush.

Your proudest moment?

Curating The Licks Within The Lip, a solo exhibition by artist Sarah Long in St Luke’s Crypt in 2023.

I am also very proud of the most recent show I have curated, Hidden Pasts, Potential Futures, at The Lord Mayor’s Pavilion.

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

Cork has a fantastic artistic community yet the city is massively lacking in space and infrastructure for the production and dissemination of work. This is very frustrating for local creatives, especially alongside the amount of dereliction and unused spaces. 

One particular sore point is the site of the old tax office on Sullivan’s Quay, which still remains a vacant site five years on from its demolition.

The housing crisis is another major issue that has so many knock-on effects.

What makes you happy?

Attending gigs and exhibitions.

What else are you up to at the moment?

I have just curated an exhibition, Hidden Pasts, Potential Futures at The Lord Mayor’s Pavilion in Fitzgerald’s Park. It’s a group exhibition featuring Rebecca Bradley and Kathryn Kelly from Sample-Studios, Noelle Gallagher from Engage Art Studios, Galway, and Lucy Peters from A4 Sounds, Dublin. The exhibition reflects on the fluidity and cyclical nature of the Earth’s ecosystems through the lens of place, landscape, material and loss.

Rebecca’s paintings are beautifully layered and explore place and site. Noelle’s video Forest/ry features the destruction of a commercial forest to make way for a native woodland. Lucy’s sculpture Buy Wear Dispose #2 looks at the over-consumption of mass-produced clothing. Kathryn’s work, Everybody Leaves or Are Left in the End, is a text piece installed on the windows of the building. The exhibition has been a great opportunity to open a dialogue between four artists with connected interests from three artist studios around Ireland. The exhibition runs until February 25 and is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am - 4pm.