Ireland at Venice, Ireland’s national representation at the international art and architecture exhibitions at la Biennale di Venezia, is an initiative of Culture Ireland in partnership with the Arts Council.

The Venice Biennale remains the world’s most important international showcase for contemporary arts and architecture. The annual exhibitions offer an important platform for Irish artists, architects and curators to present their work globally, gain international profile and generate further opportunities for them to present their work outside of Ireland.

2021 Venice Architecture Biennale

‘Entanglement’

Annex

Owing to the global COVID-19 pandemic the 17th International Architecture Biennale, due to be held in 2020, has been postponed to 2021.

Annex, a collective made up of architects — David Capener, Donal Lally, Clare Lyster, artists — Sven Anderson, Alan Butler and urbanist — Fiona McDermott represent Ireland with an exhibition entitled Entanglement.

Ireland’s exhibition responds to the theme set by the curator, Hashim Sarkis : How will we live together?. Under this theme Sarkis calls on architects to imagine spaces in which we can generously live together as human beings to connect with one another and with other species across digital and real space; Entanglement also responds to the curator’s invitation to architects to engage with other professions to deliver their exhibitions.

The exhibition will be run from 22 May to 29 November 2021.

Ireland’s participation in the Venice Biennale 2021 will build on Ireland’s strong presence at the Venice Biennale in 2018 which was curated by Shelley McNamara and Yvonne Farrell of Grafton Architects.

* Pavilion of Ireland Press Release *

* Minister Martin launched Ireland’s Representation at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2021 *

2022 Venice Art Biennale

‘To mark a space, to hold a spot’

Niamh O’Malley

Artist, Niamh O’Malley with Temple Bar Gallery + Studios as curator have been selected to represent Ireland at the 59^th Venice Art Biennale in 2022. O’Malley’s proposal for the Irish pavilion, To mark a space, to hold a spot reflects an emphasis on the importance of the studio and its role in the creation of work and this collaboration with TBG+S will present O’Malley’s sophisticated, precisely executed, calm work in the context of its making.

Cliodhna Shaffrey, director said “Temple Bar Gallery + Studios is greatly honoured to present artist Niamh O’Malley at the Irish Pavilion for the 59th Venice Biennale, 2022. Niamh O’Malley’s proposal sets us on an artistic journey originating in her TBG+S studio and going out into the world at Venice. Known for her exquisitely crafted sculptures and moving image installations, O’Malley brings attention to the act of looking; encouraging the viewer to slow and hold still in the moment. Her work is founded in making and materiality and underpinned by a questioning of how we touch the world.”