Episode 907: A Hubris of Irish Curators

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We sit down with a delegation of Irish curators—Michele Horrigan (Askeaton Contemporary Arts), Michael Hill (Temple Bar Gallery + Studios), and Mark O’Gorman (The Complex)—to unpack what it means to build artist-centered institutions on an island without a commercial art market. From weather-worn banana warehouses to smoke-machine-filled nightclubs, these curators share space-making tactics, post-colonial entanglements, and the challenges of caring for artists without selling to collectors.

They’re in Chicago for EXPO and bringing the heat—with nothing but friendship, found neon, and deeply site-responsive shows. Also: fluorescent hands, oak horns, grant hustle, and Duchampian office doors

Names Dropped:

• Liliane Puthod – https://www.lilianeputhod.net/
  Áine Mac Giolla Bhríde (A.Mac) – https://www.motherstankstation.com/artist/aine-mac-giolla-bhride/
  Devin Mays – https://regardsgallery.com/artists/devin-mays/
  Haynes Riley / Good Weather – https://www.goodweather.llc
  Becky Nahom (ICA) – https://curatorsintl.org/about/collaborators/23122-becky-nahom
  Stephanie Smith – https://curatorsintl.org/about/collaborators/4391-stephanie-smith
  Kate Sierzputowski – https://katesierzputowski.com
  Amanda Rice – https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx2lfLmL_Qk
  Frank Wasser – https://www.instagram.com/frankwasserartist
  Bryony Dunne – https://www.instagram.com/bryonymaydunne
  Olga Balema – https://www.clearing-gallery.com/artists/olga-balema
  Hannah Hoffman Gallery – https://www.instagram.com/hannahhoffmangallery
  Bridget Donahue Gallery – https://www.bridgetdonahue.nyc
  John Latham / Flat Time House – http://www.flattimeho.org.uk
  Brian O’Doherty – https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/12/arts/brian-odoherty-dead.html
  Tom Friedman – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Friedman
  Duchamp (Marcel) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcel_Duchamp
  The Smiths (band) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smiths

  Website/IG Handles (if available or mentioned):

  • Askeaton Contemporary Arts / @askeatonarts
  • Temple Bar Gallery + Studios / @templebargallery
  • The Complex Dublin / @thecomplexdublin
  • Good Weather / @goodweathergallery

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Christopher Hudgens

Operations Manager at Bad at Sports

Christopher Hudgens is the Operations Manager for BaS and works in various other capacities for other organizations in the Chicago Art & Culture scene. Most recently as Business Operations Manager for the Bridge Art Fair and currently an advocate for all things art & technology.

Latest posts by Christopher Hudgens (see all)

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