This preview event is an intimate gathering at Kunstverein Aughrim, with drinks and readings brought together by Áine Mac Giolla Bhríde in collaboration with Katie Watchorn.

The event draws on the thinking behind two recent exhibitions by Mac Giolla Bhríde: objects as buoys in the life acted at the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny in April 2023, and son of at Void Art Centre, Derry, on view until January 2024. It is devised to offer insight into the artist’s working methodologies, by inviting audiences into the engine room of their artistic process, via a collective encounter with their research material. Featuring readings and extracts of selected texts by writers, thinkers and artists such as Cameron Lynch, Nathan O’Donnell, Despina Stratigakos and Frances Whorrall-Campbell among many others, this event dips into the writing and thinking that informs, inspires and articulates Mac Giolla Bhríde’s spatial sculptural practice outside of the gallery.

The event takes place from 3:30pm to 6:30pm.

Collective reading (aloud) will be encouraged but will not be obligatory.

Drinks will be served.

Capacity is restricted due to limited space.

Access: Kunstverein Aughrim is unfortunately not currently wheelchair accessible, due to a series of stone and concrete steps at the threshold. If you have questions or specific access requirements please contact us via email and we will do our best to facilitate your full participation.

Attendees are invited to let us know about any potential accessibility issues, travel plans (such as confirming transfer links) or dietary restrictions (relating to the serving of drinks) by emailing office@kunstverein.ie

Getting to Aughrim is easiest by car, but public transport is also possible in the following ways:

From Dublin - take the 13:33 train from Connolly Station to Rathdrum (Dublin>Rosslare Route). Upon arrival in Rathdrum at 14:58 a transfer will bring you to Aughrim. You will be returned to Rathdrum train station for a 19:05 departure, arriving back in Dublin Connolly at 20:29. Please let us know if you wish to avail of this route by emailing office@kunstverein.ie to confirm your seat on the transfer pick-up.

From Carlow - take the 14:07 local link from Carlow IT, which will have you in Aughrim at 15:34. This route also covers pick ups from Tullow, Shillelagh and Tinahely. A late bus, departing Aughrim at 21:01, will take you home.

From Wexford - take the 13:20 train to Rathdrum, and the 19:05 train home. Again please let us know if you are planning to use this option by confirming your seat on the transfer pick-up (from Rathdrum to Aughrim) by emailing office@kunstverein.ie

From Arklow - contact us to coordinate a lift-share by emailing office@kunstverein.ie

Artist's Biographies

Áine Mac Giolla Bhríde graduated from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, in 2016 and, since then, their work has been included in several projects: Habitat HQ, a site responsive installation solo project organised by the Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin, in which the artist created an immersive sculptural environment within the brutalist concourse of Trinity College’s Arts Building. Other recent exhibitions include: UNCANNY, a two-person exhibition with Nicolas Bourthoumieux at 10N, Brussels, …and the days run away like wild horses over the hills…, Scoil Lorcáin, Dublin (2019), Periodical Review 2017, Pallas Projects, Dublin (2017), NEU-GEN 2017: Towards Both the Parts, NCAD Gallery, Dublin (2017). Mac Giolla Bhríde’s first solo exhibition, work suite, took place at mother’s tankstation, Dublin in February 2018. Their second solo exhibition with the gallery, ~ setopened at mother’s tankstation, London in May 2019. Mac Giolla Bhríde is the recipient of the Arts Council of Ireland’s Next Generation Award 2017, Visual Arts Bursary Award (2019, 2020), and has been selected for residencies at FLACC, Genk in Belgium (2019) and Fire Station Artists’ Studios in Dublin (2018 – 2020). Mac Giolla Bhríde was also one of the artists selected for the Platform Commissions programme for the 39th EVA International – Ireland’s Biennial of Contemporary Art held in Limerick, Ireland. Augmenting the 19th century architecture of Limerick’s Sailor’s Home, they presented and/or land in September 2020 as part of Phase 1 of the Biennial. Mac Giolla Bhríde held their third solo exhibition with mother’s tankstation | Dublin in Autumn 2021.

Katie Watchorn graduated from the National College of Art and Design in 2014. Projects she has undertaken since then include solo exhibitions Get Away From It All, Leitrim Sculpture Centre, 2022, Zero Grazing, Studio Pavilion as part of Glasgow International 2021, and BalehomeBalehome, VISUAL Carlow in 2018. Group exhibitions include Move-Set-Move at The Complex, Dublin (2023), Don’t Look A Gift Horse in the Mouth, Woonhuis, Amsterdam (2023), UPHOLD: New Collections, 35DP, Belfast (2022) A Growing Enquiry, Royal Hibernian Academy (2021) From Here to There, The Douglas Hyde Gallery (2021), GUEST, curated by Marysia Wiekiewicz-Carroll, Newbridge House, Dublin (2021), Grass Roots, Muine Bheag Arts, Carlow (2021), Periodical Review #9, Pallas Projects (2019) . She is the recipient of a number of Arts Council Bursaries, including the Next Generation Award 2017, supporting emerging artists of promise at a pivotal stage in their career. Katie is a 2023 - 2024 participant at De Ateliers, Amsterdam. She was a resident at the Irish Museum of Modern Art in 2019 as part of their 1000 programming and an artist-in-residence at Fire Station Artists Studios, Dublin 2019 - 2022.

This event and Kunstverein Aughrim’s ongoing collaboration with Áine Mac Giolla Bhríde is supported by the Arts Council.

Winter Preview with Áine Mac Giolla Bhríde