Irene Sweeney
20/01/1998
Currently living and working in Belfast
irenesweeneyartist@gmail.com
Areas of specialisation
Painting, Writing
Education
Ulster University, Belfast, MFA Fine Art, 2020-Present.
Ulster University, Belfast, BA Hons Fine Art, First-Class Honours, 2020.
North West Regional College, Derry, HND Fine Art, Distinction, 2018.
Experience
Admissions Support Assistant, Ulster University, Belfast, February 2020.
During this I aided in the directing of interviewees to interview areas, answered questions about the course they were applying for, and gave guided tours of studios, and provided moral/ emotional support for those that needed it.
Interpretive Tour Guide for ‘Art Unwrapped’ Giovanni Francesco Romanelli Painting Loan, Ulster University, Belfast, December-January 2019/20.
Art Unwrapped was an initiative set up through Belfast City council, Ulster Museum and Ulster University to present an artwork to the public from the Ulster Museum Collection for all members of society to visit, particularly those that may not normally go to see Ulster Museum’s Collection and those of deprived communities. The idea was founded on the concept that art should be made accessible and non-intimidating to all and was brought about by Professor Raffaella Folli, Provost of Ulster Universities Jordanstown and Belfast Campuses.
During this I welcomed visitors to the Gallery space, provided booked group tours of the artwork shown and facilitated further public engagement with the artwork through general conversation. This was an enjoyable and very insightful opportunity that furthered my knowledge of arts relationships within society, the general understanding around art and how we might “lift the veil” on many common questions about the life of an artist, and art education. The opportunity also provided a visit to Ulster Museum’s storage facility and insight into the restoration processes involved in art-conservation. In addition, local secondary schools were invited to creatively respond to the artwork after receiving a talk on the painting.
Interpretive Tour Guide for ‘Art Unwrapped’ James Glen Wilson Painting Loan, Ulster University, Belfast, December-January 2018/19.
‘UU create’ Enterprise Building Opportunity, Ulster University, Belfast, March-April 2019
A short course with limited places which over several weeks provided a series of activities and workshops designed to aid the development of creative entrepreneurs through webinars, discussions, self-assessment exercises and self-directed reading material. This course provided an individual skills report, addressed key societal challenges and issues, invited industry professionals, and initiated problem-solving multidisciplinary group activities.
Exhibitions
CURRENT: Polyphony 21, 2021, Group Exhibition, Queen Street Studios, Belfast. (6th-28th May 2021)
Graduates Show, 2020, Group Exhibition, The Mac Gallery, Belfast.
Emerging Artist's, 2020, Group Exhibition, Artisann Gallery, Belfast.
High Contrast, 2018/19, Group Exhibition, Goose Lane Gallery, Belfast.
End of Year Show, 2018, Group Exhibition, North West Regional College, Londonderry.
ɪˈklɛktɪk, 2018, Group Exhibition, The Playhouse, Londonderry.
Súile Na nÓg, 2013, Group Exhibition, Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, National Conference of The Art Teachers Association, October 2013
Artist talks
The Presence of Absence, 2020, Ulster University Belfast
Beneath the surface, 2019, Ulster University Belfast
Publications
Polyphony 21, exhibition website publication, 2021, https://polyphony21.wixsite.com/my-site
Ulster University Graduate Show at The MAC, featured in Culture Night Belfast, 2020
Irish Arts Review, New Generation Gallery, 2020, www.irishartsreview.com
MFA Belfast wordpress blog Emerging Artist Exhibition Publication, 2020, mfabelfast.wordpress.com
Emerging Artist ArtisAnn website publication, 2020, www.artisann.org
Emerging Artist Exhibition catalogue, 2020, available as pdf through ArtisAnn Website
Feature publication on Belfast School of Art Instagram for ArtisAnn Award, 2020
Belfast School of Art Class of 2020, BA (Hons) Fine Art, painting, 2020, bsoa2020.com.
ɪˈklɛktɪk Exhibition catalogue, 2018
Awards
Invited to Partake in Emerging Palettes, 2020, NVTV Documentary Series.
Artisann Emerging Artist's Exhibition Award, 2020, Ulster University.
Freddie Clifford Award, 2018, North West Regional College.
Nicola Nixon Art Award, 2016, St Columba’s College.
20/01/1998
Currently living and working in Belfast
irenesweeneyartist@gmail.com
Areas of specialisation
Painting, Writing
Education
Ulster University, Belfast, MFA Fine Art, 2020-Present.
Ulster University, Belfast, BA Hons Fine Art, First-Class Honours, 2020.
North West Regional College, Derry, HND Fine Art, Distinction, 2018.
Experience
Admissions Support Assistant, Ulster University, Belfast, February 2020.
During this I aided in the directing of interviewees to interview areas, answered questions about the course they were applying for, and gave guided tours of studios, and provided moral/ emotional support for those that needed it.
Interpretive Tour Guide for ‘Art Unwrapped’ Giovanni Francesco Romanelli Painting Loan, Ulster University, Belfast, December-January 2019/20.
Art Unwrapped was an initiative set up through Belfast City council, Ulster Museum and Ulster University to present an artwork to the public from the Ulster Museum Collection for all members of society to visit, particularly those that may not normally go to see Ulster Museum’s Collection and those of deprived communities. The idea was founded on the concept that art should be made accessible and non-intimidating to all and was brought about by Professor Raffaella Folli, Provost of Ulster Universities Jordanstown and Belfast Campuses.
During this I welcomed visitors to the Gallery space, provided booked group tours of the artwork shown and facilitated further public engagement with the artwork through general conversation. This was an enjoyable and very insightful opportunity that furthered my knowledge of arts relationships within society, the general understanding around art and how we might “lift the veil” on many common questions about the life of an artist, and art education. The opportunity also provided a visit to Ulster Museum’s storage facility and insight into the restoration processes involved in art-conservation. In addition, local secondary schools were invited to creatively respond to the artwork after receiving a talk on the painting.
Interpretive Tour Guide for ‘Art Unwrapped’ James Glen Wilson Painting Loan, Ulster University, Belfast, December-January 2018/19.
‘UU create’ Enterprise Building Opportunity, Ulster University, Belfast, March-April 2019
A short course with limited places which over several weeks provided a series of activities and workshops designed to aid the development of creative entrepreneurs through webinars, discussions, self-assessment exercises and self-directed reading material. This course provided an individual skills report, addressed key societal challenges and issues, invited industry professionals, and initiated problem-solving multidisciplinary group activities.
Exhibitions
CURRENT: Polyphony 21, 2021, Group Exhibition, Queen Street Studios, Belfast. (6th-28th May 2021)
Graduates Show, 2020, Group Exhibition, The Mac Gallery, Belfast.
Emerging Artist's, 2020, Group Exhibition, Artisann Gallery, Belfast.
High Contrast, 2018/19, Group Exhibition, Goose Lane Gallery, Belfast.
End of Year Show, 2018, Group Exhibition, North West Regional College, Londonderry.
ɪˈklɛktɪk, 2018, Group Exhibition, The Playhouse, Londonderry.
Súile Na nÓg, 2013, Group Exhibition, Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, National Conference of The Art Teachers Association, October 2013
Artist talks
The Presence of Absence, 2020, Ulster University Belfast
Beneath the surface, 2019, Ulster University Belfast
Publications
Polyphony 21, exhibition website publication, 2021, https://polyphony21.wixsite.com/my-site
Ulster University Graduate Show at The MAC, featured in Culture Night Belfast, 2020
Irish Arts Review, New Generation Gallery, 2020, www.irishartsreview.com
MFA Belfast wordpress blog Emerging Artist Exhibition Publication, 2020, mfabelfast.wordpress.com
Emerging Artist ArtisAnn website publication, 2020, www.artisann.org
Emerging Artist Exhibition catalogue, 2020, available as pdf through ArtisAnn Website
Feature publication on Belfast School of Art Instagram for ArtisAnn Award, 2020
Belfast School of Art Class of 2020, BA (Hons) Fine Art, painting, 2020, bsoa2020.com.
ɪˈklɛktɪk Exhibition catalogue, 2018
Awards
Invited to Partake in Emerging Palettes, 2020, NVTV Documentary Series.
Artisann Emerging Artist's Exhibition Award, 2020, Ulster University.
Freddie Clifford Award, 2018, North West Regional College.
Nicola Nixon Art Award, 2016, St Columba’s College.