Róisín O'Sullivan
Róisín O’Sullivan makes paintings and drawings that engage with the natural world. Her practice slips into abstraction through intuition within the studio process, where she explores themes and questions of surface, line, gesture, and repetition. She uses wood—including shop-bought, reclaimed, and found—as the basis of her works. She experiments with mark-making by applying and removing paint, carving and burning on or into this wood. Her pieces are purposefully small in scale, with the viewing experience—an intimate act—playing a significant part in their existence.
Róisín O’Sullivan achieved an MA in Fine Art at Central Saint Martins, London (2015) and a BA in Fine Art at CCAM, GMIT in Galway, Ireland (2011). Recent solo exhibitions include I See Skies at Triskel Arts Centre in Cork City (2022-2023), curated by Miguel Amado, and Under a Crescent Moon at Rathfarnham Castle OPW in Dublin (2023). Recent group exhibitions include Our Vision is Clouded curated by Warbling Collective Shoreditch, London, UK (2023) and Generation 2022: New Irish Painting at the Butler Gallery, Kilkenny (2022). In 2022, the artist completed the prestigious twelve-month Tony O’Malley residency, administered by the Royal Hibernian Academy. She is a recipient of multiple awards by the Arts Council of Ireland including the Visual Arts Bursary 2022. Her studio is located at the Backwater Artists Group, Cork City, where she began a four year studio contract in May 2023.
O’Sullivan has presented her work in exhibitions throughout Ireland and overseas, and her work is held in both private and public collections, including the Office of Public Works, Ireland.
Email: roisinosullivanstudio@gmail.com
Studio: Backwater Artists Group
Education:
2013 - 2015 MA Fine Art, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts, London, UK
2007 - 2011 B.A (Hons) Fine Art, Centre for Creative Arts and Media, GMIT, Ireland
Solo Exhibitions:
2025 (forthcoming) Solo Exhibition, Studio 12 Exhibition Space, Backwater Artists Group, Cork City, Ireland
2023 'Under a Crescent Moon', Rathfarnham Castle OPW, Dublin
2023 'I See Skies', Triskel Arts Centre, Cork City, Ireland
2020 ‘This Place’, The Jennings Gallery, University College Cork, Ireland
2018 ‘Material Residue’, Ballina Arts Centre, Mayo, Ireland
2016 ‘Outward’, Parfitt Gallery, Croydon School of Art, London, UK
2012 ‘New Work’, Galway Arts Centre, Galway, Ireland
2011 ‘Semblance’, Eight Bar in association with the Galway Arts Centre, Galway, Ireland
Two Person Exhibitions:
2018 ‘The Process of Doubt’, The Sailors Home, Limerick, Ireland
2013 ‘Solitary Space’, The Courthouse Arts Centre, Wicklow, Ireland
Selected Group Exhibitions:
2024 (forthcoming) 'Feedback', curated by Róisín Foley, LHQ Gallery and Studio 12 Exhibition Space, Cork, Ireland
2024 (forthcoming) 'Field Trip', curated by Kevin Kavanagh Gallery at Lavit Gallery, Wandesford Quay, Cork, Ireland
2023 'Small Things Like These', Group Exhibition, LHQ Gallery, County Library Building, Cork
2023 'Summer Exhibition', Lavit Gallery, Wandesford Quay, Cork, Ireland
2023 'Small and Mighty', Online Exhibition, Ladies Drawing Club, France, curated by Clüb and Louise Fitzjohn
2023 ‘Our Vision is Clouded’, Warbling Collective, Shoreditch, London, UK
2022 'Between the Sights of The Sun', curated by Maeve Mulrennan, Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival, Offaly, Ireland
2022 'Summer Show', So Fine Art Editions, Dublin, Ireland
2022 'GENERATION2022: New Irish Painting', curated by Anna O'Sullivan, Butler Gallery, Kilkenny, Ireland
2022 'Summer Open', The Courthouse Gallery & Studios, Clare, Ireland
2021 'Winter Open', The Courthouse Gallery & Studios, Clare, Ireland
2021 ‘Winter Show’, So Fine Art Editions, Dublin, Ireland
2021 'Artform Annual 44', The Quay, Waterford, Ireland
2021 'Nua', So Fine Art Editions, Dublin, Ireland
2021 ‘Bring the Mind Home’ Saldanha Gallery, curated by Kaitlynn Webster, Fort Dundee, Donegal, Ireland
2020 ‘Winter Show’, So Fine Art Editions, Dublin, Ireland
2020 'Annual 3', Sternview Gallery, Cork, Ireland
2020 'Winter Show', Lavit Gallery, Cork, Ireland
2020 'Memory Edits', Sternview Gallery, Cork, Ireland
2020 ‘10 Past 6’, Six Foot Gallery, Glasgow, UK
2020 'Summer II', Lavit Gallery, Cork, Ireland
2020 ‘Places We Love’ Artlink Members Virtual Exhibition 2020
2020 ‘Willing The Season’, Online Exhibition with FAR X WIDE, USA
2020 ‘Almost There’, Online Exhibition curated by Julia Gros, PADA Art Studios & Residency, Portugal
2019 ‘The Winter Open 2019’, Rua Red Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
2019 ‘4th Annual Members' Exhibition’, GOMA Gallery of Modern Art, Waterford, Ireland
2019 ‘Micro’, AIR Gallery, Altrincham, Manchester, UK
2017 ‘The Winter Open 2017’, Rua Red Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
2016 ‘We Are Always Several At Once’, Safehouse 1, Peckham, London, UK
2015 ‘We All Draw’, Bargehouse Oxo Tower, Southbank, London, UK
2015 ‘Granfalloon’, Lethaby Gallery, Central Saint Martins, Kings Cross, London, UK
2015 ‘PRINTJAM’, Parfitt Gallery, Croydon, London. UK
2014 ‘Sea-beasts & Marsh Monsters’, T.A.P (Temporary Arts Project), Southend on Sea, UK
2014 ‘Big Space’, The Street, Central Saint Martins, London, UK
2014 ‘PRINT/3’, Arcane Gallery, London, UK
2014 ‘Student & Recent Graduate Show’, Catalyst Arts, Belfast, UK
2014 ‘Tomorrow: Today, CSM Interim Show’, Bargehouse, Southbank, London, UK
2013 ‘Claremorris Open Exhibition’, curated by Andrew Wilson (Tate Britain) Mayo, Ireland
2012 ‘Latency’, curated by Michaela Cutaya, The Linen hall Arts Centre, Mayo, Ireland
2012 ‘#008000’, curated by Grace McEvoy, The Shed, Dock Rd, Galway, Ireland
2012 ‘Apposite Extravaganza: Cheating Progress’, curated by Jim Ricks, Exchange House, Galway, Ireland
2011 ‘Void/ Volume’, curated by Sarah Lundy, Galway Arts Centre, Galway, Ireland
2011 ‘Degree Show’, Cluain Mhuire Campus, GMIT, Galway, Ireland
2010 ‘Surface’, curated by Maeve Mulrennan and Vicky Smith, 8 Lombard Street, Galway, Ireland
Residencies & Awards:
2024 Cork County Council Creative Artists Bursary Scheme
2022 Visual Arts Bursary Award, The Arts Council of Ireland
2021 Visual Arts Bursary Award, The Arts Council of Ireland
2021 Agility Award, The Arts Council of Ireland
2021 Tony O’Malley Residency, Kilkenny, Ireland
Administered by the Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, Ireland
2020 Professional Development Award, The Arts Council of Ireland
2020 The Cabin At Road Books Artist Residency, Cork, Ireland
Sponsored by Backwater Artists Group, Cork, Ireland
2020 Ballinglen Arts Foundation Artist Residency, Mayo, Ireland
Awarded bursary by Cork County Council Arts Office, 2020
2020 PADA Studios and Residency, Barreiro, Portugal
2020 Tyrone Guthrie Centre Artist Residency, Monaghan, Ireland
Awarded bursary by Cork County Arts Office 2019
2020 Cill Rialaig Artist Residency, Kerry, Ireland
2019 Kilnagleary Artist Residency, Cork, Ireland
Supported by the Cork County Arts Office
2019 Cill Rialaig Artist Residency, Kerry, Ireland
2016 Printmaking Artist Residency, Croydon School of Art, London, UK
2012 Public House Residency II, Kildare, Ireland
2011 Mentored Residency Award, Galway Arts Centre, Galway, Ireland
Supported by Galway City Council and Galway County Council
Publications, Press, Interviews & Talks:
2023 Artist Interview with Seoul Art Guide, South Korea, 2023
2023 ‘What's Hot’ section of The Irish Times, 26th March 2023
2023 Preview Gallery Guide Cover and Exhibition details, Feb-March issue 2023
2023 Person to Person Column, Cork’s Evening Echo, 18th January 2023
2022 “I See Skies” exhibition featured in “The Guide” section of The Irish Times, 24th Dec 2022
2022 Visual Artists News sheet, Painting Edition March 2022
2021 The Stinging Fly Publication, Winter Edition
2020 Irish Arts Review, Winter Edition 2020, p22
2020 'The Place To Be', Irish Examiner, February 2020, Page 12
2020 'Exhibition of new work 'This Place', The Echo, February 2020, Page 25
2020 Backwater Artists Group, Studio Talk
2019 Rua Red Winter Open programme
2018 Ballina Arts Centre programme of events
2018 Artist Interview, Young Space (online art platform),
https://www.yngspc.com/artists/2018/02/roisin-osullivan/
2016 Artist Talk, Croydon School of Art, London
2015 Granfalloon Catalogue
2015 PRINTJAM Catalogue
2015 PRINTJAM Artist Talk, Parfitt Gallery, London, UK
2014 Tomorrow: Today Catalogue
2013 Claremorris Open Exhibition Catalogue
2013 The Courthouse Arts Centre Publication
2011 Degree Show Catalogue
Collections:
Office of Public Works
Private collections in Ireland, United Kingdom, United States and the Middle East
Memberships:
126 Gallery
Artlink
Cork Printmakers
Ormston House
Visual Artists Ireland
Relevant Experience:
2016-2018 Stores Technician (Raw Materials), Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London, UK
