Out Now | May June 2026 issue of The Visual Artists’ News Sheet

VAN May/June 2026 issue foregrounds visual art projects, events, and exhibitions taking place across Ireland and internationally. Among feature articles for this issue, Maeve Connolly considers the value and achievements of Pallas Projects/Studios, as the organisation celebrates 30 years, Séamus McCormack discusses New Contemporaries, a UK-based organisation supporting emerging and early-career artists for over seven decades, and Rachael Gilbourne interviews Alberta Whittle on the occasion of ‘Fisherwoman, Fisherwoman’, her two-person exhibition with Camille Souter at IMMA.

Several columns for this issue foreground access, with Áine O’Hara outliningthe importance ofdigital access for those managing chronic illness, and Miguel Amado highlighting the need for inclusive curatorialmethods to work with disabled, D/deaf, and neurodivergent artists.

In Focus explores the theme of Island Landscapes: Andrew Duggan, Sophie Fetokaki, and Seán Ó Dálaigh, report on their current project, Planetary Archipelagos; Mary Flanagan discusses a residency and exhibition undertaken by Jo Killalea on Inis Meáin; while Sinéad McCormick discussesthe evolution of the BAVA Programme on Sherkin Island.

This issue also includes timely coverage of recent exhibitions nationwide: Sinéad Ní Mhaonaigh at An Gailearaí in Donegal; Michael Corrigan at SO Fine Art Editions in Dublin; Andy Parsons at Queens Street Studios in Belfast; Helen O’Leary at The Dock in County Leitrim; Hilary Kinahan at Esker Arts Centre in Tullamore; ‘MOTH’, a group exhibition at Backwater Artists Studio in Cork; Lauren Gault’s ‘bone stone voice alone’ at Dundee Contemporary Arts; and Bryony Dunne’s ‘The trackmaker was a sluggish mover’ at the Irish Architectural Archive in Dublin.

On The Cover:

Alberta Whittle, Autumn Equinox – abolition invocation, 2023, acrylic on linen, painted wooden frame with fretwork, beads, cowrie shells and shackle, installation view, Irish Museum of Modern Art, March 2026; photograph by Ros Kavanagh, courtesy of the artist and IMMA.

FIRST PAGES 

6          Roundup. Exhibitions and events from the past two months.

8          News. The latest developments in the arts sector.

COLUMNS

9          Péint Bheo. Cornelius Browne explores linguistic and environmental themes in the paintings of Sinéad Ní Mhaonaigh.

Theory of the Dot*Artists Andrea Francke and Matthew De Kersaint Giraudeau discuss an episode of their podcast, recently recorded at NCAD.

10        Digital Access. Áine O’Hara outlinesthe importance ofdigital access for those managing chronic illness.

Inclusive Curating. Miguel Amado highlights the need for enhanced methods to work with disabled, D/deaf, and neurodivergent artists.

11        The Event Horizon. Matt Packer examines the curatorial rationale for an exhibition at IMMA in 1996.

How Shall We Do This? Lian Bell reports on a recent symposium on shaping a feminist art resource centre in Ireland.

12        How to Build Your Legacy. Ruth Hallinan discusses NIVAL’s newtoolkit for artists’ archiving.

Infrastructure As Armature. Aisling Murray considers some recent creative producer training in cork

13        Funding Advice. VAI Advocacy OfficerBrian Kieltoutlines funding advice and resources for visualartists.

IN FOCUS: ISLAND LANDSCAPES  

14        Planetary Archipelagos. Andrew Duggan, Sophie Fetokaki, and Seán Ó Dálaigh, report on their current project focusing on divided islands.

15        Mí an Mhárta. Mary Flanagan discusses a residency and exhibition undertaken by Jo Killalea on Inis Meáin, Aran Islands, County Galway.

16        Decentralised Integration. Sinéad McCormick discussesthe evolution of the BAVA Programme on Sherkin Island.

ARTIST WORKSPACES

18        Guildhall Taphouse Studios. Cara Donaghey discusses a new artist-run studio space next to the historic Guildhall in Derry.

Patrick Street Studios. Clodagh Kenny discusses a new artist workspace that she recently opened in Dún Laoghaire.

CRITIQUE

19        Helen O’Leary, ‘Soft Spot’, installation view, The Dock.

20        Michael Corrigan at SO Fine Art Editions

21        Andy Parsons at Queens Street Studios

22        Helen O’Leary at The Dock

23        Hilary Kinahan at Esker Arts Centre

24        ‘MOTH’ at Backwater Artists Studio

SOCIALLY ENGAGED PRACTICE

25        Yes, But Do You Care? Clodagh Assata Boyce reports on Marie Brett’s screening event at IMMA.

EXHIBITION

26        Fisherwoman, Fisherwoman. Rachael Gilbourne interviews Alberta Whittle about her two-person exhibition with Camille Souter at IMMA.

28        Adaptation or Extinction? Michael Hill considers evolutionary and temporal connections across two recent exhibitions.

INTERNATIONAL

30        New Contemporaries. Séamus McCormack discusses the UK-based organisation supporting emerging and early-career artists for over seven decades.

ORGANISATION

32        Artist-Run Time. Maeve Connolly considers the value and achievements of Pallas Projects/Studios as they celebrate 30 years.

MEMBER

35        Palimpsest. Joanna Hopkins discusses her art practice and a recent community ecology project at Nephin National Park.

36        A Brightness at the Edge of Things. Oisín Tozer discusses a recent project and its adaptation into a solo exhibition in Green on Red Gallery.

37        We Are Her Continuation. Aisling Coughlan discusses the evolution of her practice and her current exhibition at Axis Ballymun.

LAST PAGES

38        Opportunities. Grants, awards, open calls, and commissions.

39        VAI Lifelong Learning. Helpdesks, cafés, and webinars.