Liam O’Callaghan

Irish artist Liam O'Callaghan works with sculpture, photography, and with light and sound installations. His work is determined by his interest in experimenting with various forms, a singular understanding of material, and a preference for hybrid, humorous constructions.

About his art works – such as the pile of used erasers on a shelf or a talking sculpture made of pink wooden blocks, which spread out into the space like tentacles – Liam O’Callaghan himself says: »My work comes from the need to make pieces that are more of a free flow of creativity, focusing on the physical pleasure of making; something that is rough in aesthetics, where you can see the thinking of its maker; something that is freer from the limitations I put on myself, that is simple in thought, but unashamed, confident, and honest; work that is about possibilities, that is an attempted manifestation of the importance of freedom and the action of an expression ...«

The potential behind different forms and the physical limitations of their realization are also major themes in Liam O’Callaghan’s photographic series, »Designs for Public Monument That Won't Happen« and »Temporary Compositions for an Empty Space«. In the former, he uses free-flowing paint to transform sculptural structures into models for public monuments, while in the latter, highly unstable arrangements of furniture, construction materials, and mirrored surfaces are consolidated into studies of precariousness and foreshortening. 

VITA
 

1968
born in Dublin, Ireland

1986-90
Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design

2004
Artist work program, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin

2005
Grant by Arts Council of Ireland

2010
Artist in Residence, Kunstverein Schwerin

lives and works in Dublin, Ireland

SOLO EXHIBITIONS (SELECTION)

2015
If and then (again and again), Rasche Ripken, Berlin

2014
If and then ... (again), Galway Arts Centre, Galway
If and then ..., Butler Gallery, Kilkenny

2012
Bit Symphony, Ormston House, Limerick

2011
Bit Symphony, Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin

2009
Bit Symphony, Preview Berlin (mit Rasche Ripken)
made to make do, Rasche Ripken Berlin

2008
made to make do, Rubicon Gallery, Dublin

2006
Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin

2002
I'm a success, the Belfry Gallery, Aalst

2001
These are not precious things, Triskel Arts Centre, Cork
I'm a success, Earagail Arts Festival, Donegal

2000
I’m a success, Gallery of Photography, Dublin

1996
The good room, Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick
The good room, City Arts Centre, Dublin

GROUP EXHIBITIONS (SELECTION)

2018
Full House –  10 Jahre, Rasche Ripken, Berlin

2015
Redemption Jokes, Neue Gesellschaft für Bildende Kunst, Berlin
Periodical Review #4, Ormston House, Limerick
Fourth Space, West Cork Art Centre, Cork

2014
Periodical Review #4, Pallas Projects, Dublin
Parallel Visions-Sculpture and installation from the IMMA Collection, Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda
Irish Art Does Not Exist, Station Independent Projects, New York
Light Rhythms, Project Gallery, Irish museum of Modern Art, Dublin

2013
The Future Perfect (oh brave new world), Rubicon Projects Brussel
Nailing Jelly to the Wall, Cattalyst Art Centre, Belfast
Five person video show, Espazo Mira me Mira Gallery, Santiago

2012
Periodical Review #2, Palace Projects, Dublin
Welcome to my loft, Centro Torrente Ballester, Galicia

2011
Listen with your eye’s, Maronokiang Gallery, Los Angeles
Redefine: Readymade – DER ORT, Kunstverein Schwerin
20, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin
Three colours - Yellow, SOMA Contemporary, Waterford
Fade away and radiate, Rasche Ripken Berlin

2010
Reduxdelux, Parkhaus Project Space, Berlin
Invisable, Dublin
Holding together, Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin

2009
Preponderance of the small, Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin
House Warming, RuaRed Art Centre, Dublin

2008
Walls and Gateways, Existentie / New Art Project, Gent

2007
I am always touched by your presence (new acquisitions), Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin

2005
Remote, LOT gallery, Bristol
Eurojet Futures an Anthology, R.H.A, Dublin
The Art of Failure, Institute of Technology, Carlow

2004
The Limestone Barrens project, Newfoundland, Canada, Ireland
Artist’s Books, The Workroom, Dublin
Artist’s book, Model Arts & Niland Gallery, Sligo

2003
Art of the lens, Art Centre, Dunamaise
Photography show, Model Arts & Niland Gallery, Sligo

2001
Tiger tiger burning bright, Fenton Gallery, Cork
Eurojets futures, R.H.A, Dublin
Propositions, Locks Gallery, Philadelphia

2000
Intermedia, Triskel Arts Centre, Cork