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ROADMAP LA BIENNALE DI VENEZIA 2026 NOW IS THE TI
ME Huge congrats to Irish artist Isabel Nolan who has been selected to represent Ireland at the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia, in 2026. La Biennale di Venezia is one of the most important international platforms for visual arts, attracting over half a million visitors, including global curators, gallerists, art critics, and artists and it’s a huge honour for the Dublin based artist and her curation team of Georgina Jackson and Cian O’Brian of the Douglas Hyde Gallery of Contemporary Art. The selection was announced by Arts Minister Catherine Martin and Nolan said that, “To represent Ireland in any sphere of cultural activity is a great privilege. To have my work in congregation with so many other artists is a rare opportunity; as is the occasion to reach such large audiences there, and at home with the national tour. Venice is an extraordinary city and to have the great fortune to realise this ambitious project with curator Georgina Jackson of The Douglas Hyde and producer Cian O’Brien is very exciting. Art has a strange and special capacity to make and test powerful kinds of community with shared knowledge and beauty, however temporary. La Biennale di Venezia is a stage like no other.” Georgina Jackson also said that “Showing Isabel’s work in Venice is a powerful proposition; motifs that recur in her work include arches, fallen chandeliers, surging waves and dying suns – imagery which will resonate dramatically in the Arsenale”. Nolan’s exhibitions are rooted in themes of cosmology, history, religion, mythology, mortality, and love, and utilise a variety of mediums including sculpture, textiles, paintings, drawings, photography, and writing. Her work will return to Ireland in 2027 on a national tour, supported by the Arts Council, in venues across the island. Last October, Una was posting a letter to Dorje from New York City when she found a poem on the counter of the post office. It was titled Grandfather’s Key, author unknown. Last March, at the ‘Gig for Gaza’ in Berlin, she read that poem, along with another, Now Is The Time, which she had written for Jules Fogarty, one of the organisers, on the day of the concert. Since then, Dorje has been photographing the Palestinian solidarity protests in Berlin, where police violence against peaceful protestors is increasing. Together they have published both Una’s poem and Dorje’s photographs in a zine that serves as an object of solidarity and also a donation mechanism (all proceeds, not a percentage) for Gaza Mutual Aid Collective, raising money to help and assist loved ones in Gaza. Now Is The Time was recently launched in NYC, by returning a copy to the post office counter where Una found Grandfather’s Key. thelibraryproject.ie GIFT A BETTER FUTURE THIS CHRISTMAS Trócaire has launched their life changing range of sustainable and ethical gifts for Christmas. This year, Trócaire has launched a range of new gifts that help families and their children worldwide who are caught up in conflict as the horrific situations in Gaza and Sudan are front of mind for many people. This includes Gift of Play & Healing (€40) that will help children to process the trauma of war, through the power of play therapy. Hunger can also be a constant companion for children caught in conflict, the Gift of Food & Nourishment (€50) this Christmas will help children with special food that will nourish growing bodies and save lives. With 23 ‘Gifts of Change’ to choose from ranging from €5 to €1,400, each Trócaire gift will support critical programmes across the world where Trócaire works. The gifts can be purchased online at www.trocaire.org/gifts or by calling 1800 408 408. 6