It’s hard to believe that our ‘We are QSS at 40’ exhibition and events programme has come to an end. It’s been an incredible experience filled with creativity, inspiration, and a whole lot of fun.
A Curatorial Journey
Curated by the wonderful Eamonn Maxwell, the ‘We are QSS at 40’ exhibition featured over 60 works by QSS artists past and present, thoughtfully hung between both of our gallery spaces. Maxwell did not adhere to a curatorial theme; instead, he selected what he thought was the ‘best work from each artist submission’. He noted in his accompanying essay that the exhibition reflected the enduring concerns and inspirations of contemporary art, from QSS’s origins in 1984 through to today.
Public Programme
To celebrate our 40th anniversary, we pulled out all the stops! Our calendar was full of events, workshops, and tours welcoming hundreds of people through our doors.
Talks and Tours
Our ‘Past/Present/Future’ series featured insightful talks and discussions led by Una Walker, Jane Morrow and Dougal McKenzie, offering valuable perspectives on studio provision and the wider artistic landscape. Exhibition tours were guided by QSS artists, curator Eamonn Maxwell and art historian Amanda Croft with a special series of ‘behind the studio door’ tours offered on our 40th birthday open day (led by Susan Connolly, Sharon Kelly and Meadhbh McIlgorm).
Curator Day
We welcomed curators from across the island of Ireland to QSS, including Riann Coulter (F.E McWilliam Gallery), Ciara Hickey (PS2), Patrick Murphy (Royal Hibernian Academy), and Aoife Ruane (Highlanes Municipal Gallery), fostering invaluable networking opportunities for our community of artists, along with members of Platform Arts Belfast and Creative Exchange.
Workshops
Engaging public workshops were facilitated by QSS artists Anushiya Sundaralingam (Feltmaking) and Alacoque Davey (Drawing with Scissors). Studio members also benefitted from peer-critique workshops led by the very talented and insightful Louise Wallace, artist and lecturer at Belfast School of Art.
Publication
To accompany our ‘We are QSS at 40’ exhibition we produced a small publication documenting the curatorial process (by Eamonn Maxwell), alongside personal reflections from the many artists who have made QSS their creative home.
The publication also featured contributions from QSS Chair; James Fair, Culture Development Officer at Belfast City Council; Shauna McGowan, and Director of Arts Development Arts Council of Northern Ireland; Gilly Campbell. A commissioned essay by QSS artist Gail Ritchie entitled ‘Crossing thresholds: a studio of one’s own’ addressed the necessary (and very important) conditions for the creation of works of art.
What’s Next?
As QSS develops a new three-year strategic plan, our priority remains to secure a suitable, stable location amid redevelopment plans. We are committed to growing our capacity to better support.
our artists and hope to celebrate our 50th anniversary with a story of stability, growth, and continued artistic excellence.
We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to our funders Belfast City Council, Arts Council Northern Ireland, Esme Mitchell Trust and Belfast School Of Art who have made this exhibition possible.