Áine Ryan

Áine Ryan

6 February to 28 March 2026

Studio open to the public Wednesday and Thursday

Áine Ryan’s practice is rooted in personal experience and explores feminine identity within rural and patriarchal contexts. Shaped by a cancer diagnosis in her late twenties and a return to her family farm during recovery, her work reflects on the body, fertility, and women’s perceived value. Drawing on the Greek myth of Io and eco-feminist thinking, Ryan uses farm materials and equipment to examine silenced femininity, the objectification of women and nature, and the often-overlooked role of women within farming families in rural Ireland.

During my residency at Uillinn, I aim to undertake a focused period of research, reflection, and material experimentation leading to the development of a new body of work. The residency will provide space to test materials, develop wax models for future glass castings, and expand my use of photography as a research tool. I aim to begin forming a cohesive body of work that will contribute to my first solo exhibition at the Waterford Gallery of Art in late 2026, while embedding public engagement as a core part of my process.

My practice draws on the myth of Io and uses farm materials and equipment to explore silenced femininity, ecofeminism, rural identity, and the undervalued role of women in farming families. Following my own cancer treatment, these themes became deeply personal, prompting questions around value, productivity, and female identity. This residency follows a two-person exhibition at the Grilse Gallery and represents a pivotal moment to reflect, deepen research, and push this inquiry forward as part of my evolving practice.

Public engagement is central to my process, as informal conversations often provide vital insight. I plan to engage with rural women in the Skibbereen area through conversation, storytelling, and accessible workshops, connecting with local women’s groups and the Salt and Pepper Art Collective. I will also attend the weekly Skibbereen Farmer’s Market and host an artist talk or open studio to extend dialogue into everyday public spaces.

Women do more than stand in gaps

Áine Ryan is a visual artist from Co. Waterford. She received a B.A. (Hons) in Contemporary Applied Art from MTU Crawford College of Art and Design in 2021. Ryan has received funding from the Arts Council of Ireland, the Design & Craft Council Ireland, the Alexander Tutsek Foundation, and the EU Culture Moves Europe Programme. She has exhibited in Ireland and internationally, including the RHA Annual Exhibition (Dublin), the International Biennale of Glass (Sofia), LOOP Festival (Barcelona), and forthcoming solo exhibition at the Waterford Gallery of Art in 2026. Her work is held in public and private collections.

@aine_ryan_art https://aineryanart.wordpress.com/

This residency is supported by a Sample-Studios ‘Sample 15’ Artist Bursary.

Image: Áine Ryan, Barren is Never Used for Men, butcher’s block, deconstructed women’s underwear, metal pins, 2025, Dave Ryan

Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre acknowledges the financial support of The Arts Council  / An Chomhairle Ealaíon in making these residencies possible.