Olivia O'Dwyer

Olivia O’Dwyer
5 to 17 January 2026 & 16 to 28 February 2026
Studio 3

My work concerns the allegorical in painting, by reimagining domestic spaces and refracting it through a personal, oblique lens. The work hovers at the edge of self-portraiture, but resists the frontal, declarative gaze. The cartoonish quality comes from wanting to be direct. The paintings share humour and unease in equal measure.

At Uillinn, I will continue to research and develop ideas that will feed a new body of work. I aim to discuss various themes within the work e.g. the socio-political aspect of female artists being overlooked historically with the wider public and the other artists in the residency.

Recent solo shows include Seen and Unseen, The Lido Stores Margate, UK, 24. HomeBird, at Kevin Kavanagh, Dublin, 24. A Mind’s Eye, Kevin Kavanagh, 22.

Some recent group exhibitions include, Crosscurrents, Herman’s Auction House, Dublin, 25, Right Here, Right Now, Rua Red Arts Centre, Dublin, 25. Magic and Loss at Kevin Kavanagh, 2024; the RHA Annual Exhibition, 2024; New Neighbours, a two person show, at South Tipperary Arts Centre, 2024.

Residencies include SIM, Reykjavik, Iceland, 24. Numerous residencies at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig, Co. Monaghan, and a two-week residency in Kathmandu at the Siddhartha Galley with Culture Ireland, 2018.

 O’Dwyer was awarded a Visual Arts Bursary in 2023; an Agility award in 2022; and several Artlinks bursaries. She won the Making and Momentum artist prize from Designer Richard Malone and Creative Ireland in 2022 and The Lido Open, UK in 2023. Her work was recently acquired by Wexford’s Co. Council Art Collection.

Instagram : olivia_o_dwyer

Website: oliviaodwyer.com

Supported by an Artlinks bursary, residency divided into 2 stages and will continue in Spring 2026.

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