Since 2006, Askeaton Contemporary Arts commission, produce and exhibit contemporary art in the locale of a small town in County Limerick, Ireland. An artist residency programme situates Irish and international artists in the midst of Askeaton each summer, while thematic exhibitions, publications and events often occur. Through these methods, over one hundred artists projects have been realised.

With no ‘white-cube’ gallery spaces in Askeaton, artists work in public spaces throughout the town. This form of engagement focuses on the existing dynamics of the locale, intending to bring forward the diverse layers of daily life and create a rich framework for subjective encounters. A local audience are often actively implicated into the development of projects through their assistance or participation. Such an approach is built on a belief that contemporary art can be used as an active hub for local society, as a form of critique, investigation and celebration where artists are at the centre of these dialogues playing a primary and fundamental role. We have a particular and growing interest in how art can contribute to contemporary issues of environment and ecology. We strive for a future where Askeaton is a place to the forefront of progressive understandings that benefit and enrich our community.

Many artworks made here have been subsequently presented throughout the world in exhibitions, art biennials and film festivals. In addition Askeaton Contemporary Arts have organised and presented public programmes throughout Ireland and in London, New York, Vancouver, Amsterdam, San Sebastian and elsewhere, presenting our project to wide and diverse audiences.

Read Manchán Magan’s feature articles on Askeaton Contemporary Arts in The Irish Times here and here.

Board

Michael Hill is programme curator at Temple Bar Gallery + Studios, and half of the curatorial team with Clíodhna Shaffrey for Ireland at 59th Venice Biennale 2022. He has put together over 130 exhibitions and displays of artists’ work in several countries, and has contributed to over thirty artists’ publications.

Michele Horrigan is curator, director and founder of Askeaton Contemporary Arts since 2006. She works as an artist, with exhibitions at EVA International, Limerick and Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, and maintaining an active publishing practice.

Ramon Kassam is an artist from Limerick City, currently based in Kilkenny. Solo exhibitions of his work have been seen at Temple Bar Gallery and Studios, Dublin, Green on Red Gallery, Dublin and Limerick City Gallery of Art. He has participated in group shows at Edythe Broad Art Museum, Michigan, and The Lewis Glucksman Gallery, Cork, and has received numerous awards and residencies, including the Tony O’Malley Award. He occasionally writes about art, and has led and set up artist-run studio and exhibition spaces in Limerick City.

Patrick Kelly is managing director of Cultureshock, a creative media agency based in London. Patrick has been publisher of ArtReview, ArtReview Asia and associate publisher of The Art Newspaper.

Sean Lynch (chairperson) is an artist working with sculpture and video. He represented Ireland at the Venice Biennale in 2015, and recent solo exhibitions include Edinburgh Art Festival, Henry Moore Institute, Leeds, Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin, and Modern Art Oxford.

Sinéad Mercier is a consultant on climate change law and policy with a special focus on just transition and human rights approaches. She has previously worked for the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, the National Economic and Social Council, the Green Party of Ireland and Philip Lee law firm. 

Niamh Moriarty (secretary) is an artist, writer and researcher based in Glenfarne, Co. Leitrim. Since 2010, Niamh has worked with Ruth Clinton on visual arts projects, exhibiting together across Ireland as well as Amsterdam, Berlin, and Washington DC.

Maeve Mulrennan is Assistant Arts Officer for Cork County Council. In a varied and extensive career, she has developed projects with EVA International, Limerick, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, and Kilkenny’s Butler Gallery. She was the Head of Visual Art at Galway Arts Centre from 2006–2020.

Olivia Smith worked as an academic for two decades, prior to co-founding Winter Papers, an annual anthology for the arts. A colleague and confidante of Askeaton Contemporary Arts for many years, she additionally serves on the board at The Model, Sligo, and at The Stinging Fly literary magazine.