An Evening of Readings was a live event held in conjunction with the exhibition All is Lavender by Seán O'Riordan, curated by Rita McMahon, at the Galway International Arts Festival 2024.
Over three days, through online and in-person meetings with participants, Seán O'Riordan facilitated a workshop exploring themes present in the exhibition, culminating in a public event. Artists were invited to respond to a prompt and discussion inspired by Anna T.'s book Opacity – Minority – Improvisation: An Exploration of the Closet Through Queer Slangs and Postcolonial Theory. This book celebrates the richness and complexity of language, emphasizing how misunderstandings can foster deeper insights and connections, enriching both cultural and personal narratives.
The event featured a group of local artists, providing an informal space where text, live readings, responses, and performances unfolded within the exhibition.
As part of this event, a collective badge-making session took place, allowing participants the public to engage in tactile explorations of themes. Some of the results from this session are also documented here.
Artists featured: Seán O'Riordan, Meadhbh McNutt, Avi Ratnayake, Manuela Moser, Jane Queally, and Vicky Smith.
Funded by Galway City Council and the Arts Council of Ireland.
Over three days, through online and in-person meetings with participants, Seán O'Riordan facilitated a workshop exploring themes present in the exhibition, culminating in a public event. Artists were invited to respond to a prompt and discussion inspired by Anna T.'s book Opacity – Minority – Improvisation: An Exploration of the Closet Through Queer Slangs and Postcolonial Theory. This book celebrates the richness and complexity of language, emphasizing how misunderstandings can foster deeper insights and connections, enriching both cultural and personal narratives.
The event featured a group of local artists, providing an informal space where text, live readings, responses, and performances unfolded within the exhibition.
As part of this event, a collective badge-making session took place, allowing participants the public to engage in tactile explorations of themes. Some of the results from this session are also documented here.
Artists featured: Seán O'Riordan, Meadhbh McNutt, Avi Ratnayake, Manuela Moser, Jane Queally, and Vicky Smith.
Funded by Galway City Council and the Arts Council of Ireland.
Seán O’Riordan
Meadhbh McNutt
Avi Ratnayake
Photography: Emma Zukovic