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VAN Nov/Dec 2026 issue channels a retrospective impulse to look back across several decades. In columns, Matt Packer examines the expansion of Ireland’s visual art infrastructure during the Celtic Tiger era, and we reprint a report from the SSI/VAN archive, first published in 1987, outlining a symposium in Limerick, organised by the Sculptors’ Society of Ireland (SSI). Patricia Bickers reflects on the 50th anniversary and 500th issue of Art Monthly, while Sinéad Keogh’s curation of the 24th edition of TULCA Festival of Visual Arts marks 50years since the inception of punk. Joanne Laws interviews Sinéad about this “punk and women-led proposition” exploring contemporary female rage, DIY culture, and collective action. This issue also includes a triple-page Organisation Profile, as John Graham recounts some personal highlights from 60 years of Project Arts Centre, which began as a three-week festival at the Gate Theatre in November 1966. Among other feature articles for this issue, Aengus Woods reflects on eight standout shows in Ireland this year, Thomas Pool reports on VAI Get Together 2026, and Member Profiles explore recent exhibitions by Danny Foley and Maïa Nunes. This issue also includes an extended Critique section, offering timely coverage of exhibitions around the country: Hillsboro Fine Art, Royal Society of Antiquaries Ireland, CCA Derry ~ Londonderry, the MAC, Ballina Arts Centre, Regional Cultural Centre, and Lismore Castle Arts. ON THE COVER ‘Salon’, installation view, Lismore Castle Arts, April 2026, featuring L–R: Stephen McKenna, Clouds, 2014, oil on canvas, and Verne Dawson, Standing Stones in Brittany, 2008, oil on canvas; photograph by Jed Niezgoda, courtesy of the artists, the Stephen McKenna Estate, Kerlin Gallery, and Karma. FIRST PAGES 6 Roundup. Exhibitions and events from the past two months. COLUMNS 8 Back to the Future. Patricia Bickers reflects on the 50th anniversary and 500th issue of Art Monthly. Path Dependence. Matt Packer examines the expansion of Ireland’s visual art infrastructure during the Celtic Tiger era. 9 The Painter in the Camper Van. in autumnal twilight Cornelius Browne recalls a chance encounter with a landscape painter. Limerick Sculpture Symposium. A report by Tom Fitzgerald, first published in the SSI Newsletter in 1987, outlines a symposium in Limerick. 10 No Honeymoon Period. Jemma Bannocks outlines some impacts of Artificial Intelligence on visual artists. Out There. William Keohane reflects on the publication of his first book this month. 11 RDS Visual Art Awards. Paul McAree outlines the graduate artists selected for this year’s awards. Colophon. Guest Curator Nathan O’Donnell outlines his thematic programme for this year’s Dublin Art Book Fair. THE YEAR IN REVIEW 12 Exhibition Highlights. Aengus Woods recounts eight standout shows in Ireland this year. FESTIVAL/BIENNALE 14 Veruca Salt. Joanne Laws interviews Sinéad Keogh, curator of the 24th edition of TULCA Festival of Visual Arts. ORGANISATION 16 The Project at 60. John Graham recounts some personal highlights from 60 years of Project Arts Centre. CRITIQUE 19 Cillian Finnerty and Cóilín O’Connell, ‘Only Handle It Once’, installation view, Royal Society of Antiquaries Ireland. 20 Claire Halpin at Hillsboro Fine Art 21 Oisín Tozer at Ballina Arts Centre 22 ‘Reconstructions: A Room for Mike Kelley’ at the MAC 24 ‘Only Handle It Once’ at Royal Society of Antiquaries 25 ‘The Rain Tells Us Everything’ at Regional Cultural Centre 26 ‘Salon’ at Lismore Castle Arts 28 ‘The Night Journal’ at CCA Derry ~ Londonderry EXHIBITION 29 Working Together. John Graham reflects on the collective endeavours, methods and dialectics of printmaking. 30 Technologies of Peace. Grace O’Boyle reflects on the current exhibition at IMMA. VAI EVENTS 32 Get Together 2026. Thomas Pool reports on VAI’s annual networking event and online curatorial conference. MEMBER 35 Room Innate. Katie O’Grady explores the archival threads of Danny Foley’s art practice. 36 Lake Burst. Michaela Razafima Nash reflects on the work of Maïa Nunes. LAST PAGES 37 Opportunities. Grants, awards, open calls, and commissions. 38 VAI Lifelong Learning. Helpdesks, cafés, and webinars. |
a VAI Publication
