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Clare Lyons

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Clare Lyons (b.1993) is a visual artist and photographer from Dublin, currently based between Bath and Bristol. She holds an MFA in Photography from the Belfast School of Art in Ulster University. Clare’s practice finds its concern in the tactile nature of the photographic image. Emphasising the materiality of the photograph, she explores themes of memory, trauma and her personal struggles with mental illness. Considering the photograph as an object is integral to Clare's practice, and she has strived to develop methodologies which seek to draw attention to this through crafting, experimental printmaking, and working with sculptural processes. Often, for Clare, the photograph is not "enough" and additional interventions must be made with and upon the surface of the image to tease out the difficult topics explored in her work. Clare's practice is motivated by the hope to achieve catharsis through creating and making, and also to encourage a more healthy conversation surrounding the deeply personal themes which arise in her work.

Clare was one of five Irish Talents selected by PhotoIreland for the FUTURES European Photography Platform in 2021, and in 2022 represented Ireland at 'Visage(s) d'Europe' curated by Collectif Fetart in Paris. She will present her first solo exhibition 'To Jack' at The Limerick Museum in October 2023.


Education
2021 - MFA Photography, Ulster University
2016 - BA Hons Photography, Institute of Art, Design & Technology (IADT)

Selected Exhibitions
2023 - to lean, fold, buckle, hold, carry, push, pull, support, Catalyst Arts, Belfast
2023 - p(a/u)ddle, Catalyst Arts, Belfast
2023 - Visage(s) d'Europe, Médiathèque Cœur De Ville, Vincennes
2022 - In Our Own Image: The Rise, D-Light Studios, Dublin
2022 - Royale Arcade Academy, Arcade Studios, Belfast
2022 - On the Irish Photobook, Museum of Contemporary Photography of Ireland, Dublin
2022 - Images Are All We Have, Museum of Contemporary Photography of Ireland, Dublin
2022 - Visage(s) d’Europe, Quai des Célestins, Paris
2021 - FUTURES Irish Talent Showcase, The Library Project, Dublin
2021 - A Lightness of Touch, Belfast Exposed Photography Gallery, Belfast
2020 - 100 Views of Contemporary Ireland, The Library Project, Dublin
2020 - Life in Still Life, OPW Touring Exhibition, Tyrone, Down, Dublin & Galway
2019 - In The Making: Ormond Art Studios 10 Year Anniversary Exhibition, Dublin
2019 - The Invention Of Memory, Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin
2019 - #tootiredwarsaw, Leica 6x7 Gallery, Warsaw
2019 - Third-Thursday, Arts, Letters and Numbers, New York
2019 - #tootiredcanton, St. Lawrence University, New York
2018 - Living Proof, The Tara Buildings, Dublin

Awards and Residencies
2022 - Agility Award Round 1, Arts Council Of Ireland
2021 - Highly Commended, Photograd Graduate Selection
2021 - Selected Artist, The Pupil Sphere Graduate Showcase
2021 - Selected Irish Talent, FUTURES Photography Platform
2019 - Universities Ireland North/South Postgraduate Scholarship
2019 - Winner, #FotoRoomOPEN, Espace Jörg Brockmann Edition
2019 - Residency at Arts, Letters and Numbers, New York
2019 - Travel and Training Award, Arts Council of Ireland

Professional Experience
2023 - Tutor, Foundation Photography, BSoA at Ulster University
2021 - Guest Lecturer, Journalism with Photography, Ballyfermot College
2019-2020 - Marketing and PR Officer, Ormond Art Studios
2019 - Volunteer, Museum of Contemporary Photography of Ireland
2018 - Gallery Assistant, Pallas Projects + Studios Dublin
2018 - Volunteer/Intern, The Library Project Dublin
2017-2019 Assistant Editor, Junior Magazine

Artist Talks
2023 - In Conversation with Silvia Koistinen, Healing Through Photography Conference, Catalyst Arts
2019 - The Invention of Memory Artist Talk with Julia Gelezova, Rathfarnham Castle

Collections
Belfast Exposed Archive
PhotoIreland Collection
Office of Public Works Ireland

Publications, Press, and Features
Tique Visual Art
Catalyst Arts
Irish Photo Network
PHROOM Platform
Centre Culturel Irlandais
Sola Journal: The Land From Which We Come
Tbilisi Photo Museum and Festival x Futures
The Pupil Sphere
Photograd
Réponses Photo
Futures Photography
Ireland Creates Podcast
Booooooom
Ormond Art Studios: Meet The Artist
Der Greif Guest Room
FotoRoom
The Irish Times
Junior Magazine
Guts Magazine
Headstuff.org
BLOW Magazine