• Primer: Clea van der Grijn

    Cléa van der Grijn – Reconstructing Memory (Image Courtesy of Heike Thiele) Ahead of the opening of Clea van der Grijn’s Reconstructing Memory in Limerick City Gallery of Arts on April 27th, Rebecca Kennedy speaks with artist on voyeurism, love letters, self-censorship and the intersection between life as an artist and motherhood. Who is your favorite artist and what facet of their practice do you find fascinating? Sophie Calle. I think she’s a very interesting person. It’s like her life is recorded in snippets of film. I think I live vicariously through her work. I love that she spies so un-intrusively…

  • Primer: ADW

    In this instalment of Primer street artist ADW chats about his recent projects & inspirations. Photos and interview by Mark Earley. Hi ADW, how’s tricks? Hiya! I’m great thanks, flying high and life couldn’t be better! Can you tell us about your current work? Last November I completed a new body of work which was presented in the solo exhibition BORN TO CREATE and, as I speak, I’ve just stepped off site from after a commission in the 3Arena, in their Premium Lounge no less. It’s been a hectic few months, but loving every minute. BORN TO CREATE, which was you 4th…

  • Primer: Mairead O’hEocha – Blackbirds in the Garden of Prisms

    I was first introduced to the work of Mairead O’hEocha a little over a year ago, being late to considerably large and entirely justified bandwagon. What initially drew my attention was the completely personal and selfish connection I felt to her series Home Rules. These paintings depicted scenes and locations O’hEocha had encountered during her daily commute from Dublin to Gorey, where she taught in Gorey School of Art. Sure I had seen depictions of the rural town and surrounding countryside of my youth before but not anything like this. Her style and eye evolved further in 2011’s via An…

  • Primer: Steven Maybury

    Steven Maybury’s latest shows, Anicca and Dukkha, highlight an emerging artist whose practice is evolving and diversifying in the most interesting of fashions. In this edition of Primer Aidan Kelly Murphy sits down to chat about his work, influences and plans for the future. Did you always have an interest in the arts and want to pursue a life as an artist, or was it something that evolved naturally? It’s a strange one because I grew up with my father being a picture framer so I was always surrounded by artworks. I used to work with him cleaning the artists’…

  • Primer: Alexander Reilly

    In this installment of Primer, Alexander Reilly invites us over to his studio to give us some insight into how his colourful character laden work comes to life through his applications of paint. Photos and interview by Mark Earley. Hi Alex! When did you first realise were an artist and in turn, that your career would be in art? I remember in my first year of school when I was four or five, all the kids in my class wanting me to draw them dinosaurs. I was never very academic or good at sports, so being the best at drawing became…

  • Primer: Bia Beatha

    In our first online installment of Primer we attend Bia Beatha, a monthly supper club focusing on showcasing Irish cuisine and the art of food and dining.  Photos and interview by Mark Earley. Hello Rachel! You’re the brains behind Bia Beatha. Tell us about how it all started. It’s kind of a funny one as I came up with the idea for the event in Berlin when I was there with my Mum for her birthday early last year. We were looking for somewhere to have decent German food without a tacky tourist vibe and no-one was able to recommend somewhere to…

  • EP Stream: Skymas – Primer

    Belfast-based electronic rock band Skymas have unveiled their two-track debut EP, Primer. Led by former Skint recording artist Martin Corrigan with Nick Todd on bass and Andrew Dunbar as operator, the trio “aim to build tracks that will affect both the body and brain”. The EP – featuring the tracks ‘This River’ and ‘Hey Porter’ – is the band’s first release on their own label, OBR. Live dates are soon to be announced. Stream the tracks via Soundcloud below.