Column /
Arts Diary Kellie Burch
“a new publication celebrating Queer artists and writers in 2021”
kellie@ulstertatler.com
CATALYST ARTS LAUNCHES Catalyst Arts recently hosted not one, but two launches. The first, held in the gallery space at College Court in Belfast, was the opening of exhibition Concealed in the Half-light. This presentation explores the idea of the archive. Rather than accepting the traditional archive model which rigidly depends on data organisation such as standardisation and categorisation to streamline and eradicate difference, Concealed in the Half-Light explores how multiple histories not restricted by agreed narratives, can offer archive alternatives, by acknowledging the subjective, intimate and personal, essentially the ‘unarchivable’. The exhibition is made up of many voices including Alice Rekab, artist-inresidence Nollaig Molloy, Matthew Wilson, The Department of Ultimology, the Digital Archive of Artists’ Publishing, Frances Whorrall-Campbell and the Artist-Led Archive. The second of Catalyst Arts’ launches, was the official unveiling of SAM’S EDEN,, a new publication celebrating Queer artists and writers in 2021. This book, which is edited by Thomas Wells, was launched at Fruit Shop on Ormeau Road and showcases the work of fourteen LGBTQIA+ individuals and groups and explores queer occupation of physical and virtual spaces. The artists included are: Day Magee, Jennifer Mehigan, Padraig Regan, Yarli Allison, Richard Martin, Claire Biddles, Bassam Al-Sabah, Phillip McCrilly, Ben Malcolmson, Michaela Nash, Richard O’Leary, Ruth McCarthy, the LGBTQIA+ youth Steering Committee at Ulster Museums and Shy Bairns. At the launch, segments of the unique book were projected onto the walls of the intimate venue. As well as guests having the opportunity to snap up their own copy of this original publication, twenty original framed works by featured artist Ben Malcolmson were also on sale. SAM’S EDEN is a vibrant and important publication, and its launch was well supported by guests including publication contributors Padraig Regan and Phillip McCrilly; artist Stephen Farnan; Programme Manager at Strand Arts Centre Johanna Leech; and Catalyst Arts Manuuela Moser. Concealed in the Half-Light and SAM’S EDEN were launched on 5 August 2021.
CONCEALED IN THE HALF-LIGHT LAUNCH
Manuuela Moser with Thomas Wells at the launch
Ponyo and Johanna Leech.
Celeste Owens and Ciara Hickey.
of SAM’S EDEN.
Julia Maguire, Stephen Farnan and Sarah Cassidy.
Ruth McCarthy and Padraig Regan.
Matthew Wilson, gallery co-director Cecelia Graham and show curator Nathan.
Phillip McCrilly and Nollaig Molloy.
Lauren Purton and Eilish McLaughlin.
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