Leah packing up after working at the kitchen table. Hot pink jumper, rolls of bright felt.
ABOUT ME, LEAH
I am an artist and educator who makes work that creates joy and sparks conversation. Because a number of threads combine in my work, here’s what I do as an…
artist. My art practice is based in performance and uses spoken word fabric and installation. I use colour, materials and texture to entice audiences, and to explore physicality and the essence of tactility. My work has been exhibited extensively in Ireland, the UK (including Digital Show at the Liverpool Biennale), France, and Australia. Selected recent projects include: Knowledge Flow 2019 (solo show, Ballina Arts Centre, 2019, funded by Digital Transformations bursary, 2018); Room Autumn (Arbour Hill Dublin, 2016); Homework performance at the Glitch Festival (Rua Red Tallaght, Dublin, 2016).
educator. I graduated from National College of Art & Design with a BA in Fine Art Sculpture (1997), and have an MSc in Multimedia Systems from Trinity College Dublin (2000). Since 2001 I have been the MFA course co-ordinator, lead researcher and writer in NCAD’s Media Department, as well as part of the MFA and BA Media teaching teams. In 2005 I reconfigured the Virtual Realities course to an Art in the Digital World MA, and subsequently into the very popular Digital Art MFA.
researcher. Recent projects include the Mothership Satellite project (2019; funded by the Arts Council, 2017 project award); Close Captioning Technology & Performance research (grant-aided by NCAD, 2016); In Public, In Particular, an international project using participatory art methods to create situation specific art (2014 - 2019); and the Spatial Arts & Visualisation collaboration – a critical engagement between UCD, NCAD and IADT.
curator, programmer, cultural producer. While working with Arthouse Multimedia Centre for the Arts, I programmed and curated events including SEED; Aspidistra; and the Winter Projection Festival, FREEZE. I managed the stage production of The Alternative Miss Ireland, and worked on Ireland’s first global carnival, the Festival of World Cultures.
public speaker. A steadfast believer in the power of conversation, I am also a trained public speaker. My practice, which both works with and is inspired by conversation, explores my long-standing interests in society and in technology.
These threads unite in my life and art practice, and the power of joy is intrinsic to each one. Because we all need joy.
Awards:
Arts Council Professional Development Award 2020
DRLCOCO Creative Ireland Mentorship award, 2020.
DRLCOCO grant, 2019.
Cowhouse residency, 2020
Inaugural digital society bursary, Digital Transformations, 2018.
The Digital Transformations Bursary 2018 (link)
DRLCOCO grant Professional development 2018
Arts Council project award, – The Mothership Project 2017
NCAD research award, 2016.
Ballymun regeneration project Research award 2007.