Austin McQuinn

‘Some signs are secret, some manifest’

31^st March – 13^th May 2023  

Solo Exhibition of new paintings, sculpture, and live art performance.

Curated by Helena Tobin.

‘Some signs are secret, some manifest’ is an exhibition of new work specifically created for the double-height atrium and galleries of South Tipperary Arts Centre, Clonmel. Austin McQuinn’s new paintings on ash wood panels and found antique prints are intensely gesso-ed, collaged and inked to psychedelic effect. The 17 foot ‘Tower’ of discarded Aran sweaters in the Atrium signals the unique Norman architecture of tower houses in South Tipperary and echoes an earlier installation McQuinn created in Kilmainham Gaol, presenting sweaters as totems to make a new tribal or fetish power-object for the Gallery.  

In a challenging exploration of the traditional and the discarded, of biopower and queer energy, McQuinn will be artist-in-residence at the STAC Chapel in the former Kickham Army Barracks. He will create a twenty-four hour live-streamed live-art performance event, titled ‘Imperial Lunatic’. Following the cycle of the new moon rising, ‘Imperial Lunatic’ will incorporate the artists’ body in series of repeating actions, video clips of volcanoes and processions, percussion, medals, zigzags, tongues and talc.

Austin McQuinn is an award-winning visual artist and performance expert, living and working in South Tipperary. His has had several solo exhibitions at Project Arts Centre, Dublin, Butler Gallery, Kilkenny and David Cunningham Projects San Francisco and most recently at The Source, Thurles where he first exhibited this new body of inked paintings and sculpture. His work is collected by The Arts Council and many public and private collections in Ireland and U.S.A.

Events

31^st March – Opening of ‘Some signs are secret, some manifest’ at STAC

22^nd April - ‘Imperial Lunatic’ a 24hr hour live-art installation/performance at STAC Chapel.

25^th April -  In Conversation: Austin McQuinn & Fearghus Ó’ Conchúir

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