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Collapse The Box

Collapse The Box hosts in-depth conversations with visual artists and arts professionals at Belfast’s annual Royal Ulster Academy exhibition. Host Noelle McAlinden meets painters, ceramicists, photographers and curators at the Ulster Museum to discuss their work, influences and careers.

The series features established figures like photo collage artist Seán Hillen (who reflects on his Asperger’s diagnosis and award-winning documentary Tomorrow is Saturday), RUA lecturer Dougal McKenzie on figurative painting’s relevance, and Belfast International Arts Festival director Richard Wakely on partnerships and access. Emerging voices include ceramics artist Denise McAuley, 2025 Irish News Prize winner for Best Newcomer, and AE Russell Prize recipient Kate Beagan.

Guests range from art historian Dr. Éimear O’Connor (National Museum of Ireland) to prize-winning artists discussing everything from materiality and memory to disability and representation. Recorded mainly during 2025–2026, the series offers a snapshot of contemporary practice in Ireland – why artists make what they make, and why it still matters.

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Collapse the Box: Sean Hillen

Mo McDevitt visits the Golden Thread Gallery to discuss the career and processes of artist Sean Hillen, as he prepares for his first retrospective of his work.
Show added:
16/02/2017

Collapse The Box: Cliff Brooks

Mo McDevitt talks to Cliff Brooks about his work, the history of the Engine Room Gallery and the East Belfast Arts Collective.
Show added:
30/01/2017

Collapse the Box: Daniel Coleman

Marianne O’Kane Boal in conversation with the artist Daniel Coleman.
Show added:
27/01/2017

Collapse the Box: Stephen McClean

Mo McDevitt in conversation with the artist Stephen McClean.
Show added:
22/01/2017

Collapse The Box: Peter Clarke

Marianne O’Kane Boal in conversation with Ballymena born street photographer, Pete Clarke, whose latest project focuses on documenting the hidden corners of Ballymena’s streets and estates.
Show added:
12/01/2017

Collapse the Box: Light up the Road

The first Lantern Parade on the Shankill.
Show added:
12/01/2017

Collapse the Box: Donnacha Cahill

Marianne O Kane Boal in conversation with the artist Donnacha Cahill.
Show added:
15/12/2016

Collapse The Box: Pop Up Art

Pop Up Art is a voluntary group based in Downpatrick. Their ethos is to offer free art as therapy and counselling to people suffering from mental health and addictions.
Show added:
09/12/2016

Collapse The Box: Susan MacWilliam

Marianne O’Kane Boal talks to the artist Susan MacWilliam about her work and her most recent exhibition ‘Modern Experiments’.
Show added:
24/11/2016

Collapse the Box: Lindsay Press

Mo McDevitt interviews ceramic artists Lindsay Press.
Show added:
06/11/2016

Collapse the Box: Trina Hobson

Mo McDevitt visits the McKenna Gallery in Co.Tyrone to chat with established arist Trina Hobson about her collection of oil paintings featured in her solo exhibition, ‘Glass Bones’.
Show added:
31/10/2016

Collapse The Box: Eamonn Higgins

Mo McDevitt travels to the Glens of Antrim to interview established artist Eamonn Higgins at his family farm.
Show added:
10/10/2016
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