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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: RUA Ciaran Gallagher

Noelle Mc Alinden reflects with Ciaran Gallagher ARUA on his evolving practice, patronage and seeing his work appreciated on an international stage.
Show added:
29/03/2023

Collapse The Box: RUA Barbara Allen

Filmed at the Ulster Museum during the Royal Ulster Academy exhibition, Noelle McAlinden talks to visual artist Barbara Allen.
Show added:
09/03/2023

Collapse The Box: RUA Rosie McGurran

Filmed at the Ulster Museum during the Royal Ulster Academy exhibition, Noelle McAlinden talks to visual artist Rosie McGurran.
Show added:
09/03/2023

Collapse The Box: RUA Molly Martin

Meet Molly Martin – photographer, performative artist and recipient of the inaugural Videography Award selected by Hamilton Architects.
Show added:
28/02/2023

Collapse The Box: 141st Annual RUA Exhibition 2022

Noelle McAlinden talks with Maggie Bowen about the Royal Ulster Academy Exhibition at the Ulster Museum.
Show added:
28/02/2023

Collapse The Box: Brendan McCullough

Brendan McCullough joins us to open up about his life behind the music.
Show added:
20/12/2022

Collapse the Box: Joel Simon

Joel Simon was born in Belgium where he studied at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Liège, before living in the USA and England and eventually settling in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which he has made his home since 1995.
Show added:
13/10/2022

Collapse the Box: Jennifer Willis

Jennifer Willis on her journey and emotions creating photographs “Seen to be heard”.
Show added:
19/08/2022

Collapse the Box: Peter Meanley

Discussion and interview with Peter Meanley on his art exhibition.
Show added:
08/08/2022

Collapse the Box: Roy Spence

For the past 50 years, Roy Spence has been making and screening a series of remarkable and sometimes eccentric films in his cinema in Comber, Co. Down.
Show added:
08/08/2022

Collapse the Box: Gallery 545 at the Harrison

Gallery 545 hosts an exhibition of established and upcoming artists across two spaces – their own Blick Studio offices and the nearby Harrison Chambers of Distinction.
Show added:
01/08/2022

Collapse The Box: Joe Kenny

Joe Kenny is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter hailing from Co. Armagh in Ireland.
Show added:
27/05/2022
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