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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: Paul Marshall

Paul is a visual artist and arts media specialist working across disciplines using traditional and emerging media technologies.
Show added:
09/06/2020

Collapse The Box: Jonathan Brennan

Artists in Lockdown Series: Jonathan Brennan is an artist living and working in Belfast since 2012.
Show added:
24/05/2020

Collapse The Box: Brian John Spencer

Connor McKernan chats with Artist, Painter and Illustrator Brian John Spencer to get an insight into how Northern Ireland’s creatives are dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic
Show added:
10/05/2020

Collapse The Box: Jack Packenham

Artist/Poet Jack Packenham talks about some of the work he has produced over the years on  the Troubles and the stories we tell.
Show added:
30/03/2020

Collapse The Box: Boris Nieslony

Connor McKernon in conversation with the performance artist, curator and archivist Boris Nieslony, one of the most significant contributors to performance art.
Show added:
11/02/2020

Collapse the Box: Antoine D’Agata

‘Eleven Voices’ is a visual response by photographer Antoine d’Agata to the turmoil and invisible violence that pulsates through the city of Belfast.
Show added:
25/11/2019

Collapse The Box: Amanda Dunsmore

Connor McKernan in conversation with Amanda Dunsmore.
Show added:
19/11/2019

Collapse The Box: David Rushton

Connor McKernan in conversation with David Rushton, member of the Art & Language group founded around 1967 by Terry Atkinson, David Bainbridge and others.
Show added:
15/11/2019

Collapse The Box: John Kindness

John Kindness is an Irish artist working in a range of media including sculpture and painting.
Show added:
09/10/2019

Collapse The Box: Paul Walls

Mo McDevitt visits the home studio of fine art painter and member of the RUA Paul Walls who is described as Ireland’s ‘Thickest Painter’.
Show added:
27/09/2019

Collapse The Box: Brian Ferran

Connor McKernan in conversation with the artist, Brian Ferran, HRUA, whose work draws on themes from history, archaeology and mythology.
Show added:
10/09/2019

Collapse The Box: Julian Friers

Connor McKernan in conversation with Julian Friers, widely acknowledged as one of Europe’s finest wildlife painters.
Show added:
02/09/2019
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