Thomas Pool: What can you tell us about your background and art practice?
Aoife Dunne: I create immersive, multi-sensory installations that explore the relationship between physical and virtual spaces. My work draws from digital culture, surrealism, and the human experience, combining sculpture, video, sound, performance, and technology to challenge perceptions of reality. My research centres around the profound impact of technology on our perception of place and the dynamic interplay between physical and virtual realms, focusing on how these influences transform reality, identity, and community.
TP: As the 2016 winner of the RDS Visual Arts Awards, how did the competition shape your career trajectory? What do you look back on from that time?
AD: Winning the RDS Visual Arts Award in 2016 provided me with my first studio space to develop new work and significantly increased the visibility of my practice. My work, LIMITLESS, which won the award, was exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver, Colorado, shortly after, marking a key moment in my career. The exposure from the award played a crucial role in establishing my presence, both in Ireland and internationally.
TP: How do you view the legacy of the RDS Visual Art Awards? How has it impacted emerging practice in Ireland?
AD: I think the RDS Visual Art Awards have had a huge impact on emerging Irish artists. They’ve created an important platform for new talent to be recognised and supported, which is especially vital right now, when it is so difficult to build and sustain a career as an artist.
TP: What advice would you give to art students in launching their artistic careers upon graduation?
AD: Don’t rush the process – take the time to experiment, learn and refine your practice.
TP: Are there any upcoming projects that you’re working on?
AD: DREAMSPHERE (2022) is currently showing at the Southbank Centre, London, as part of the outdoor programme ‘Winter Light’ (21 November 2024 – 2 February 2025), curated by Cedar Lewisohn, Curator of Site Design,and Mark Healy, Assistant Curator at the Southbank Centre. Consisting of a large-scale projection, this iteration of DREAMSPHERE is one part of a multi-sensorial, site-specific installation, originally commissioned by the Irish Museum of Modern Art, and installed in the IMMA Courtyard from 7 January to 28 February 2022. I’m also working on several exciting international projects at the moment, including my largest installations to date. While I can’t share full details just yet, more information will be available on my website soon.
Aoife Dunne is a digital installation artist who creates large-scale immersive environments that fuse sculpture, video, sound, performance, technology, and costume.
