artist's statement
Roisin Coyle moves between two and three dimensions - drawing, print, sculpture, sound and light animation – in an exploration of narrative and human psychology, which she is currently developing into a series of immersive interactive installations.
Coyle’s work is situated between fact and fiction. She is particularly interested in the Irish folkloric notion of Idiráit (between place): a parallel universe, the merging of the real and unreal and an insight into the Irish relationship to the non-rational and how this has affected (infiltrated) people’s lives and psyches.
Her work consistently references a range of sources drawing from narrative, folklore, theatre and sea lore as well as the individual’s relationship with the sea, both physically and metaphorically. She explores the emotions surrounding spatial awareness and the feelings of insignificance experienced when confronted with vast physical spaces, focusing on the individual’s solitary experience.
Coyle’s work is situated between fact and fiction. She is particularly interested in the Irish folkloric notion of Idiráit (between place): a parallel universe, the merging of the real and unreal and an insight into the Irish relationship to the non-rational and how this has affected (infiltrated) people’s lives and psyches.
Her work consistently references a range of sources drawing from narrative, folklore, theatre and sea lore as well as the individual’s relationship with the sea, both physically and metaphorically. She explores the emotions surrounding spatial awareness and the feelings of insignificance experienced when confronted with vast physical spaces, focusing on the individual’s solitary experience.
solo exhibitions
2013
The Otherbray, Mermaid Arts Centre, Wicklow
Exploratorium, Baboro International Children’s Festival, Galway
The people of the Sea, Absolut Gallery, Galway Arts Festival, Immersive installation
2012
Incantations of Lugh, Closing ceremony for Abhainn Ri Festival
Idiráit, Birr Vintage Week and Visual Arts Festival..
2011
Myths, Riverbank Arts Centre, Kildare.
2007
Lost at Sea, Grace Exhibition Space, Brooklyn, New York. Audio visual installation with musician and composer Mike Smalle.
Velcro, off-site exhibition in association with Ard Bia Gallery, Galway
2006
Number Nine, TULCA Within and Without, off-site installation, a collaboration with spoken word poet Stephen Murray and composer Mike Smalle, Galway, curated by Clíodhna Shaffrey and Sara Searson.
Small Stories, Ard Bia Gallery, Galway
Lost at Sea, off-site audio visual installation, GalwayProject’06.
The Otherbray, Mermaid Arts Centre, Wicklow
Exploratorium, Baboro International Children’s Festival, Galway
The people of the Sea, Absolut Gallery, Galway Arts Festival, Immersive installation
2012
Incantations of Lugh, Closing ceremony for Abhainn Ri Festival
Idiráit, Birr Vintage Week and Visual Arts Festival..
2011
Myths, Riverbank Arts Centre, Kildare.
2007
Lost at Sea, Grace Exhibition Space, Brooklyn, New York. Audio visual installation with musician and composer Mike Smalle.
Velcro, off-site exhibition in association with Ard Bia Gallery, Galway
2006
Number Nine, TULCA Within and Without, off-site installation, a collaboration with spoken word poet Stephen Murray and composer Mike Smalle, Galway, curated by Clíodhna Shaffrey and Sara Searson.
Small Stories, Ard Bia Gallery, Galway
Lost at Sea, off-site audio visual installation, GalwayProject’06.
selected group exhibitions
2013Claremorris Open Exhibition, selected by curator of the Tate, Andrew Wilson
Killruddery Enchanted Gardens, Outdoor Installation, Co. Wicklow
2012
Apposite Extravaganza: Cheating Progress, curated by Jim Ricks, Fairgreen, Galway.
2011
Idiráit (between place), People’s Museum of Galway, curated by Maeve Mulrennan. Galway Arts Centre.
The Swimming Naked Prophecy, curated by Eilis Lavelle. Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Riverbank Arts Centre, Kildare, and Wexford.
‘Out of your Mind’, Live@8, Galway curated by Ruby Wallis
2010
Docks Discourse, G126, Galway.
Impressions, selected by John Hewitt, Galway Arts Centre.
Frame X, Síamsa Tíre, Tralee, Kerry.
2009
Enchanted Gardens, Outdoor Visual Arts Festival, Killruddery, curated by Rosie Lynch. Bray, Wicklow.
Light Box Installation, Basement Project Space, Cork.
2008
Book Marks. Cuirt Festival of Literature, Galway.
2007
Gogarty, Renvyle House, an exhibition of Irish Artists including Dorothy Cross, Brian Bourke and Jay Murphy. Curated by Padraic Reaney. Connemara, Co. Galway.
Young Galway Artists, Norman Villa Gallery, Galway.
2006
Winter Show, Ard Bia, Galway.
Killruddery Enchanted Gardens, Outdoor Installation, Co. Wicklow
2012
Apposite Extravaganza: Cheating Progress, curated by Jim Ricks, Fairgreen, Galway.
2011
Idiráit (between place), People’s Museum of Galway, curated by Maeve Mulrennan. Galway Arts Centre.
The Swimming Naked Prophecy, curated by Eilis Lavelle. Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Riverbank Arts Centre, Kildare, and Wexford.
‘Out of your Mind’, Live@8, Galway curated by Ruby Wallis
2010
Docks Discourse, G126, Galway.
Impressions, selected by John Hewitt, Galway Arts Centre.
Frame X, Síamsa Tíre, Tralee, Kerry.
2009
Enchanted Gardens, Outdoor Visual Arts Festival, Killruddery, curated by Rosie Lynch. Bray, Wicklow.
Light Box Installation, Basement Project Space, Cork.
2008
Book Marks. Cuirt Festival of Literature, Galway.
2007
Gogarty, Renvyle House, an exhibition of Irish Artists including Dorothy Cross, Brian Bourke and Jay Murphy. Curated by Padraic Reaney. Connemara, Co. Galway.
Young Galway Artists, Norman Villa Gallery, Galway.
2006
Winter Show, Ard Bia, Galway.
other projects
2013
Logo design and website image for Trailblaze
2010
Dublin Fringe Festival. Animation commissioned by Macnas for their award winning spectacle, The Wild Hunt projected onto Collins Barracks.
2008
Design and concept for 1st Galway Theatre Poster and limited Edition print.
2007
Baboro Childrens Festival, Galway, Programme and design concept
Ongoing
Design, concept and animations for Branar Theatre Company.
Design and concept for Sheridans Cheesemongers
Logo design and website image for Trailblaze
2010
Dublin Fringe Festival. Animation commissioned by Macnas for their award winning spectacle, The Wild Hunt projected onto Collins Barracks.
2008
Design and concept for 1st Galway Theatre Poster and limited Edition print.
2007
Baboro Childrens Festival, Galway, Programme and design concept
Ongoing
Design, concept and animations for Branar Theatre Company.
Design and concept for Sheridans Cheesemongers
awards and grants
2013
Pilgrimage Project Residency Award
Killruddery Arts Residency Award
2012
Áras Éanna Residency Award, Inis Oírr, Co. Galway
2011
Arts Council Deis Award
Heritage Council Award
Shortlisted for Red Stables Studio Award
2009
Kiullruddery House Residency Award
2008
Ard Bia Berlin Residency
2007
Arts Council Travel and Training Award, Lost at Sea, New York, USA
Culture Ireland Award, Lost at Sea, New York, USA
Galway City Council Award
Pilgrimage Project Residency Award
Killruddery Arts Residency Award
2012
Áras Éanna Residency Award, Inis Oírr, Co. Galway
2011
Arts Council Deis Award
Heritage Council Award
Shortlisted for Red Stables Studio Award
2009
Kiullruddery House Residency Award
2008
Ard Bia Berlin Residency
2007
Arts Council Travel and Training Award, Lost at Sea, New York, USA
Culture Ireland Award, Lost at Sea, New York, USA
Galway City Council Award
