126 Artist-run Gallery

126 Artist-run Gallery is an artist-run space located in Galway City, Ireland. It was founded in 2005 and "has built an international reputation for ambitious programming."[1]

126 Artist-run Gallery
126 Artist-run Gallery is located in Galway
126 Artist-run Gallery
Location within Galway
Established2005
LocationSt Bridget’s Place, Hidden Valley, Woodquay, Galway, Ireland
Coordinates53.2772°N 9.0494°W / 53.2772; -9.0494
TypeArt Gallery
FounderAustin Ivers, Ben Geoghegan
Website126gallery.com

History

126 was founded in 2005 by artists Austin Ivers and Ben Geoghegan in the living room of their home in Galway.[2] The gallery was named after the number of the house. The two aimed to create more exhibition opportunities in the city, and to highlight artists who had a connection to Galway.[3] After 2 years, they curated a large "quality" survey show of contemporary Irish art in the Galway Art Centre in the autumn of 2006.[4] After, in late 2006, the gallery moved to a white cube space in an industrial estate outside of Galway City showing the work of Benjamin de Burca for the Tulca Festival of Visual Arts.[5]

In January 2007, it was re-constituted directly on the ethos of Catalyst Arts and the Transmission Gallery democratic, artist-run model – which have their origins in the Scottish New 57 Gallery.[6][7][8] This included a membership and annual members show, a non-commercial orientation, a voluntary board, 2-year term limits on board members, and a requirement that board members not show their own work. "The new gallery aims to provide a venue for younger, emerging artists, thus fulfilling an obvious need" and was considered "tremendously innovative" by The Irish Times art critic Aidan Dunne.[5][9][10] "126 is the radical departure from galleries, museums, kunsthalles, and art centres. This is a much more rarified offshoot of the world of Artist-run projects. It is derived from the model that came out of Edinburgh’s 57 Gallery."[11]

In 2009, with its future in doubt, the gallery moved to Galway City centre near the docks.[12][13] Since, the gallery has experienced several struggles for survival in its bids for consistent funding from both local authorities and the Arts Council of Ireland.[14][15] It has moved 2 additional times, for a total of 5 locations in 15 years.[1][16] Its most recent location also rents artist studio spaces.[17]

126 has worked regularly with the Galway International Arts Festival, Tulca, and the Burren College of Art.[18][19][20][21][22] As well as with the Royal Hibernian Academy, Catalyst Arts, ARTFarm, and National Women's Council of Ireland.[23][7][24][25] It has come to be seen as a progressive example of an artist led project, while simultaneously providing important training for its voluntary board.[26]

126 has shown many significant artists, organisations and presentations which is impressive for a small gallery in the west of Ireland. Some of those include: Aideen Barry, Vivienne Dick, Hank Willis Thomas, Rainer Ganahl, Niall De Buitlear, Jim Ricks, Kelly Richardson, Samara Halperin, Stephanie Syjuco, Ceara Conway, Diana Copperwhite, Sylvère Lotringer, Ormston House, Transmission Gallery, and Catalyst Arts.[27]

Bibliography
  • Ricks, Jim (Editor), Artist-run democracy: sustaining a model, 15 years of 126 gallery, Eindhoven: Onomatopee, 2022. ISBN 9789493148734[28]
  • Laws, Joanne, Footfall: Articulating the Value of Artist Led Organisations in Ireland, Galway: 126 Artist-Run Gallery, 2015.[29]

References
  1. Andrews, Kernan (31 May 2016). "126 Gallery closes, but will re-open in new location". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  2. "Looks like team spirit at Tulca". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  3. "Artists in the house". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  4. "Highlights and lowlights of 2006". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  5. "Space for communication". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  6. "Lucy Elvis Interview". A Tribal Vision. 19 October 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  7. "Circa Art Magazine - Rayne Booth's blog - The year of the exchange (Friday 1 May 2009)". 6 April 2013. Archived from the original on 6 April 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  8. Mulholland, Neil (23 October 2017). The Cultural Devolution. p. 7. doi:10.4324/9781315198316. ISBN 9781315198316.
  9. "A challenge to the conventional". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  10. "Off the beaten palette". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  11. Ricks, Jim (2021). Artist-run democracy: sustaining a model. 15 years of 126 gallery. Eindhoven: Onomatopee. p. 12. ISBN 978-94-93148-73-4. OCLC 1303216849.
  12. Falvey, Deirdre. "Fat lady prepares for Irish opera tour". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  13. Andrews, Kernan (10 June 2010). "Looking at the changing nature of the docks". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  14. Fhlatharta, Bernie Ni. "Art Gallery Saved by City Council". connachttribune.ie. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  15. Dunne, Aidan. "Empty pockets, but rich pickings in art". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  16. "How to keep the arts alive in post-Covid Galway". Galway Advertiser. 23 July 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  17. McBride, Charlie (11 August 2016). "The east-west memories of a Japanese-Irish artist". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  18. Siggins, Lorna. "Stage is set for Galway festival fortnight". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  19. Dunne, Aidan. "Life on the edge gives the best view". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  20. "TULCA Festival takes on climate change". connachttribune.ie. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  21. "Burren graduates for show in 126 Gallery". connachttribune.ie. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  22. Murphy, Judy. "Emerging talent in the limelight at Gallery 126". connachttribune.ie. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  23. "Video Killed the Radio Star: RHA Gallery, 14 January – 27 February, 2010. – paper visual art". Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  24. "ARTFarm". www.transartists.org. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  25. Holl, Kitty. "Exhibition gives value to the work women do". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  26. Magan, Manchán. "The small galleries taking back the Irish art market". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  27. Ricks, Jim (2021). Artist-run democracy: sustaining a model. 15 years of 126 gallery. Eindhoven: Onomatopee. ISBN 978-94-93148-73-4. OCLC 1303216849.
  28. "Artist-run democracy: sustaining a model | Onomatopee". www.onomatopee.net. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  29. "Footfall Report 2015". Issuu. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
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