i:cat gallery

Catherine O’Brien, Founder

How have you been exhibiting art or working with artists in the past year?

With the uncertainty in 2020, we decided to move the gallery to a smaller space. It was our second relocation in two years. We are committed to our local community. This means not only exhibiting artworks but also providing experience in organising exhibitions, working on artist portfolios, negotiating terms and conditions for art in public spaces, and reaching out to groups who do not usually work with a gallery.

What are the profiles of the artists you tend to show? Are there specific interests or themes that inform your gallery programme?

The group exhibition at the beginning of 2020, titled ‘localé’, became the theme or inspiration for the last 12 months. We have continued to exhibit Vientiane artists who share the compulsion to make art. The gallery hosted three solo exhibitions, one group exhibition and two community activities. The focus was on drawing and painting.

How has your role as a gallery evolved since the pandemic?

We made a commitment to be open everyday and to create opportunities to work with the community. Some of our activities included inviting recent art graduates to join our public art workshops, showcasing pottery from the Lao Disabled Women’s Development Centre and being a venue for Mà Te Sai village crafts. We also helped a group of trained artists realise a major photography installation in one of the new shopping centres.

What is a favourite artwork or event from the past year?

Poster for Souphaluck Phongsavath’s exhibition ‘in silence’ (2021). Design by Vilakone Phachanthavong.

A favourite exhibition is Souphaluck Phongsavath’s solo show ‘in silence’. He presented a series of pastel drawings that reflect the intimacy of the drawing process through the female body. Phongsavath has worked with us for many years and his work is always included in our shows. This one was accompanied by ‘we like to draw’, a one day event where artists were invited to come into the gallery to draw. The range of drawings created complemented Phongsavath’s exhibition.