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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: Denise Ferran

Connor McKernan in conversation with Denise Ferran, land and seascape painter and past President of the Royal Ulster Academy.
Show added:
27/08/2019

Collapse The Box: Richard Noble

Marianne O’Kane Boal in conversation with New York born artist and photographer, Richard Noble.
Show added:
21/08/2019

Collapse The Box: Natalia Black

Ciarán Ó Brolcháin in conversation with Natalia who talks about her life as a child in Slovakia, moving to Northern Ireland and becoming an artist.
Show added:
12/08/2019

Collapse The Box: Beatrice Chapleo

Beatrice Chapleo is a renowned narrative painter based in Crossgar, Co. Down.
Show added:
06/08/2019

Collapse The Box: Bryan Rutledge

Connor McKernan in conversation with the photographer, Bryan Rutledge, who specialises in photographing paintings, sculpture, fine art and heritage related objects.
Show added:
31/07/2019

Collapse the Box: Dougie Sharpe

Connor McKernan in conversation with the Scottish Borders artist, Dougie Sharpe and the stories behind his portraiture.
Show added:
23/07/2019

Collapse the Box: Carol Graham

Connor McKernan in conversation with the artist Carol Graham, whose subject matter varies including landscapes, seascapes and still life.
Show added:
26/06/2019

Collapse The Box: Hector McDonnell

Mo McDevitt in conversation with Hector McDonnell, one of the finest figurative Irish artists of his generation.
Show added:
19/06/2019

Collapse The Box: Helen Kerr

Helen Kerr trained in textiles at Belfast, Brighton and Goldsmiths Colleges of Art and is a founder member of the Northern Ireland Embroidery Guild.
Show added:
30/05/2019

Collapse The Box: Monica Mayer

Connor McKernan in conversation with Mexican born Monica Mayer, visual artist, feminist and art critic.
Show added:
21/05/2019

Collapse The Box: Leo Casement

Leo Casement is an Internationally renowned Irish artist based in Downpatrick, Co. Down.
Show added:
10/05/2019

Collapse The Box: Sheena Devitt

Stone sculptor, Sheena Devitt, from Killyleagh, County Down, talks about her site specific sculptural artworks inspired by the landscape and seascape of Strangford Lough.
Show added:
26/04/2019
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