About

Lucy McKenna's work is concerned with the observation and interpretation of data relating to our understanding of the universe. She looks at the systems that attempt to explain our place in it, who owns them and the perspectives that those systems include or exclude.

Through research and process, she explores different methods of data extraction, collection and use; including instinct, scientific experiment, technology, language, storytelling, folklore and mythology. Informed by this research, McKenna’s art practice becomes a tool of data capture and distillation itself, seeking to unfold the information hidden in those spaces where the analytic and intuitive concur.

Her practice pushes to diversify and democratise potential pathways of innovation and discovery related to the world around us, her works scaffolding a visual theory that proposes some knowledge about the universe can only be uncovered through intuitive methods. McKenna’s practice is a multidisciplinary one consisting of drawing, painting, photography, film, print, audio and sculptural works.

Education:

Joint BA degree- NCAD, Thomas St, Dublin, 2000-2005

Selected Exhibitions // Projects:

2024

Way Bad & Friends, group exhibition, Hens Teeth, Dublin, Ireland. May
Hermione, group exhibition, Alexandra College, Dublin, Ireland. May
High Strangeness, solo exhibition, Cabra Library, Dublin, Ireland. Creative Hubs commission with Dublin City Council, IMMA & Dublin City Libraries. April

2023

The Cosmic Repeater video work screened on Solstice Arts Centre for Culture Night, Meath, Ireland. Sept

2022

A Dormant Light Resides In The Eye, solo exhibition, Solstice Arts Centre, Meath, Ireland. Aug
We Didn’t Move... video work screened on Living Canvas digital screen, Dublin, Ireland. July
In Perpetuity, permanent installation, Meta, Cork, Ireland. May

2021

Artifacts, group exhibition, Casa Hoffmann, Bogotá, Colombia. Oct

2020

Ollphéist, Ormston House, projected .GIF in city windows, Limerick, Ireland. Nov
Fly Me To The Moon, The Ark Cultural Centre for Children, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, Ireland. March

2019

Accumulus commissioned installation, IDA Ireland on their 70th anniversary, IDA Headquarters, Dublin 2, Ireland. Oct
Nubecula commissioned installation, Kilkenny Education Centre, Kilkenny, Ireland. Feb
Subliminal || Sublime, installation + performance, Moylurg Tower, Boyle, Roscommon, Ireland for Park Project IV. Jan

2018

Residency Commission with Roscommon Arts Centre, Lough Key Park, Roscommon, Ireland. Sept
Residency at Cill Rialaig, Kerry, Ireland. Sept
DCC artist-in-residence award, Albert Cottages, Hampstead Park, Dublin, Ireland. (1 year) March
Hermione, group exhibition, Alexandra College, Dublin 4, Ireland. March

2017

Residency at ISCP New York, Brooklyn, NY, USA. Sept - Dec
The Otherworld Hall, Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland. Oct
Future Proof, The Lab, Dublin 1, Ireland. Sept
The Space Between, OPW touring exhibition, Clotworthy House, Antrim, Northern Ireland. Sept
In Perpetuity, commissioned installation, Facebook AIR Program, research + development site, undisclosed location. Aug
The Crystal World, commissioned installation, Paper Assist, Baldonnel, Dublln 22, Ireland. Aug
Galway International Arts Festival: The Golden Record, invited artist, Galway Arts Centre, Ireland. July
In Perpetuity, Atrium Space, Temple Bar Gallery + Studios, Dublin 2, Ireland. April
Astronomical Mashup, Cube Space, The Lab Gallery, Dublin 1, Ireland. Feb (solo)

2016

Winter Open, RUA RED, Dublin, Ireland, Nov
RISOdency, Facebook AIR Program, Dublin, Ireland, June
The Artist Observatory, Catalyst Arts + Armagh Space Observatory, Northern Ireland. Feb - April
Imago Mundi Project, international publication/ exhibition. Jan

2015

Periodical Review, Pallas Projects/ NCAD Gallery, Dublin, Ireland, Dec
Artist in residence, Facebook AIR Program, Dublin, Ireland, June - Oct
Recent Works, Process Space, VISUAL Carlow, Ireland, March (solo)

2014

Action at a Distance: the life and legacy of John Stewart Bell, Naughton Gallery, Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Nov
The Lacuna In Parallax, Source Arts Centre, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, Sept (solo)
Legacy, City Hall, Cork, Ireland, Jan

2013

DETONATE (SUPERSONIC EXOTHERMIC FRONT), Limerick Arts Encounter, 69 O'Connell St, Limerick, Ireland, Oct
Abhainn Rí Festival, Fennelly's, Callan, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, July
The Darker Wood, Gallery West, Queen St, Toronto, Canada, July (solo)
Film Dinner 3/6, screening, curated by Etaoin Holohan at Fennellys, Callan, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, April
Under The Rug, curated by Erica Harney, Iona College, New Rochelle, NY, USA, March
Bury Me Under The Juniper Tree, screening, King St. Alternative Film Festival, Toronto, Canada, Feb
Quantum Entanglement, Axis: Ballymun, Dublin, Ireland, Jan (solo)

2012

Signes De Nuit film festival, Paris, France, Oct
Freezer Film Retrospective, NES, Skagaströnd, Iceland, Aug
Electron Cloud, installation, St. Marys Lane, Kilkenny Arts Festival, Kilkenny, Ireland, Aug
Birr Arts Festival, Birr, Co. Offaly, Ireland, Aug
Convergence 3, With Space Gallery, 798 district, Beijing, China, March
Hidden Meanings Yan Chao Collection Gallery, Guomao, Beijing, China, March
The Darker Wood, Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland, Feb (solo)
Selected Works, Mountmellick Library & Gallery, Mountmellick, Co. Laois, Ireland, Jan (solo)

2011

The Darker Wood installation, Electric Picnic Festival, Stradbally, Co. Laois, Ireland, Sept
The Darker Wood installation, Kilkenny Castle park, Kilkenny Arts Festival, Ireland, Aug
The Darker Wood, Carnegie Arts Centre, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland, June (solo)
Upstart Campaign election posters, various locations in Dublin, Ireland, Feb

2010

Sanctioned Array, White Box Gallery, NYC, USA, Nov
Gathering Mill Street Art Studios, Dublin 8, Ireland, July
New Living Art, Irish Museum Of Contemporary Art, Dublin 2, Ireland, July
Movement Comma Movement, Toronto, Canada, June
Éigse Arts Festival, Carlow, Ireland, June
Vårstad Cultural Festival, Växjö, Sweden, May
Joint show with Fidelma Sheridan, Your Eyes They Turn Me, Inspire Galerie, Dublin 1, Ireland, April

Awards

2024- Joseph M. Hassett Bursary Award for Visual Art, UCD College of Arts & Humanities, Ireland.
2014- 1 year membership, The Good Hatchery, Ireland
2013- Culture Ireland grant
2013- Joint 1st place, Intertoto Competition, King St. Alternative Film Festival, Toronto, Canada
2012- Irish Arts Council Project Award
2011- Artlinks Bursary Award
2010- Irish Arts Council Travel Bursary
2008- Irish Arts Council Travel Bursary

Residencies