Ailbhe Ní Bhriain

b. 1978 Clare, Ireland.

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain is an Irish artist working with film, computer generated imagery, collage, tapestry, print and installation. Ní Bhriain's work is rooted in an exploration of imperial legacy, human displacement and the Anthropocene. These intertwined subjects are approached through an associative use of narrative and a painstakingly crafted visual language that verges on the surreal. She sidesteps directive positions and familiar binaries, exposing instead the layers of ambiguity and contradiction embedded in these fraught issues. The resulting worlds she creates are at once idiosyncratic, irresistible and deeply unsettling. Her work has been exhibited widely both nationally and internationally and regularly involves collaboration with musicians and composers.

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain lives and works in Cork.

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Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Intrusions I, 2022
Jacquard tapestry, wool, cotton
edition of 5
250 x 290 cm / 98.4 x 114.2 in
installation view, Lyon Biennale (Photo: François Deladerrière)

Selected Works

Selected Works Thumbnails

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain&nbsp;
Interval VI,&nbsp;2023
cotton, wool, silk, Lurex, edition of 3 + 2AP
294.5 x 408 cm / 115.9 x 160.6 in&nbsp; &nbsp;

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Interval VI, 2023
cotton, wool, silk, Lurex, edition of 3 + 2AP
294.5 x 408 cm / 115.9 x 160.6 in

Inquire

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain&nbsp;
The Muses I,&nbsp;2018
Jacquard tapestry, wool, cotton
edition 5 + 2AP
212 x 165 cm / 83.5 x 65 in

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
The Muses I, 2018
Jacquard tapestry, wool, cotton
edition 5 + 2AP
212 x 165 cm / 83.5 x 65 in

Inquire

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain&nbsp;
An Experiment with Time, 2022
Three channel film with surround sound, duration 19:02 mins
edition of 5 + 2AP
installation view, Lyon Biennale (Photo: Fran&ccedil;ois Deladerri&egrave;re)

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
An Experiment with Time, 2022
Three channel film with surround sound, duration 19:02 mins
edition of 5 + 2AP
installation view, Lyon Biennale (Photo: François Deladerrière)

Inquire

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Intrusions I, 2022
Jacquard tapestry, wool, cotton
edition of 5 +2 AP
250 x 290 cm / 98.4 x 114.2 in

Inquire

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Intrusions II, 2022
Jacquard tapestry, wool, cotton
edition of 5 + 2 AP
250 x 425cm / 98.4 x 167.3 in

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Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Intrusions III, 2022
Jacquard tapestry, wool, cotton
edition of 5 + 2 AP
250 x 235 cm / 98.4 x 92.5 in

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Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain&nbsp;
Interval (I),&nbsp;2022
Pigment print on Photo Rag, presented in a stained walnut box frame with clarity glass
edition of 3 + 2AP&nbsp;
102 x 137 cm / 40.2 x 53.9 in framed &nbsp;

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Interval (I), 2022
Pigment print on Photo Rag, presented in a stained walnut box frame with clarity glass
edition of 3 + 2AP
102 x 137 cm / 40.2 x 53.9 in framed

Inquire

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain&nbsp;
Picture vii,&nbsp;2022
Pigment print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag, in stained walnut frame with museum glass
edition of 3 + 2AP&nbsp;
142 x 90 cm / 55.9 x 35.4 in framed &nbsp;

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Picture vii, 2022
Pigment print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag, in stained walnut frame with museum glass
edition of 3 + 2AP
142 x 90 cm / 55.9 x 35.4 in framed

Inquire

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain&nbsp;
Inscriptions V (Detail),&nbsp;2022
Installation comprising walnut framing elements, display cases (walnut and glass) and perspex supports with materials including clay, bone, graphite, yarn, wax, bronze and brass
Unique, dimensions variable

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Inscriptions V (Detail), 2022
Installation comprising walnut framing elements, display cases (walnut and glass) and perspex supports with materials including clay, bone, graphite, yarn, wax, bronze and brass
Unique, dimensions variable

Inquire

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain&nbsp;
Picture iii,&nbsp;2022
Pigment print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag, in stained walnut frame with museum glass
edition of 3 + 2AP&nbsp;
142 x 90 cm / 55.9 x 35.4 in framed &nbsp;

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Picture iii, 2022
Pigment print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag, in stained walnut frame with museum glass
edition of 3 + 2AP
142 x 90 cm / 55.9 x 35.4 in framed

Inquire

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain&nbsp;
Inscriptions of an Immense Theatre,&nbsp;2018
Single channel film with stereo sound, duration 33:09 mins
edition of 5 + 2AP

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Inscriptions of an Immense Theatre, 2018
Single channel film with stereo sound, duration 33:09 mins
edition of 5 + 2AP

Inquire

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain&nbsp;
The Muses III,&nbsp;2018/21
Pigment print on bamboo in a stained walnut frame with window mount and clarity glass, edition of 30 + 5AP
63 x 56.5 cm / 24.8 x 22.2 in framed &nbsp;

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
The Muses III, 2018/21
Pigment print on bamboo in a stained walnut frame with window mount and clarity glass, edition of 30 + 5AP
63 x 56.5 cm / 24.8 x 22.2 in framed

Inquire

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Interval VI, 2023
cotton, wool, silk, Lurex, edition of 3 + 2AP
294.5 x 408 cm / 115.9 x 160.6 in

Inquire

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
The Muses I, 2018
Jacquard tapestry, wool, cotton
edition 5 + 2AP
212 x 165 cm / 83.5 x 65 in

Inquire

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
An Experiment with Time, 2022
Three channel film with surround sound, duration 19:02 mins
edition of 5 + 2AP
installation view, Lyon Biennale (Photo: François Deladerrière)

Inquire

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Intrusions I, 2022
Jacquard tapestry, wool, cotton
edition of 5 +2 AP
250 x 290 cm / 98.4 x 114.2 in

Inquire

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Intrusions II, 2022
Jacquard tapestry, wool, cotton
edition of 5 + 2 AP
250 x 425cm / 98.4 x 167.3 in

Inquire

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Intrusions III, 2022
Jacquard tapestry, wool, cotton
edition of 5 + 2 AP
250 x 235 cm / 98.4 x 92.5 in

Inquire

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Interval (I), 2022
Pigment print on Photo Rag, presented in a stained walnut box frame with clarity glass
edition of 3 + 2AP
102 x 137 cm / 40.2 x 53.9 in framed

Inquire

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Picture vii, 2022
Pigment print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag, in stained walnut frame with museum glass
edition of 3 + 2AP
142 x 90 cm / 55.9 x 35.4 in framed

Inquire

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Picture iii, 2022
Pigment print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag, in stained walnut frame with museum glass
edition of 3 + 2AP
142 x 90 cm / 55.9 x 35.4 in framed

Inquire

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Inscriptions of an Immense Theatre, 2018
Single channel film with stereo sound, duration 33:09 mins
edition of 5 + 2AP

Inquire

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
The Muses III, 2018/21
Pigment print on bamboo in a stained walnut frame with window mount and clarity glass, edition of 30 + 5AP
63 x 56.5 cm / 24.8 x 22.2 in framed

Inquire

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain studied at the Crawford College of Art & Design, Cork, the Royal College of Art, London and Kingston University, London, where she was awarded a PhD by practice in 2008. Her work has been shown widely internationally, with exhibitions including Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin; Broad Museum, Michigan; Whitechapel Gallery, London; CCA, Glasgow; Hammer Museum, LA; Istanbul Modern, Turkey; Reina Sofia Museum, Madrid and the 16th Lyon Biennale.

Recent exhibitions include Hollow Earth, curated by Hayward Gallery Touring, visiting Nottingham Contemporary and Glucksman Gallery, Cork; THIS RURAL, Lismore Castle Arts, Ireland and Interval One (Dream Pool), a solo exhibition at Domobaal Gallery, London (all 2023). In November 2023, Ní Bhriain will have her first solo exhibition at Kerlin Gallery, Dublin.

Public collections of her work include Crawford Art Gallery, Cork; Trinity College Dublin; The Arts Council of Ireland; and Office of Public Works, Ireland.

Exhibitions

Exhibitions Thumbnails

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain
manifesto of fragility, 2022
16th Lyon Biennale
Curated by Sam Bardaouil &amp; Till Fellrath
Photo: Fran&ccedil;ois Deladerri&egrave;re

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
manifesto of fragility, 2022
16th Lyon Biennale
Curated by Sam Bardaouil & Till Fellrath
Photo: François Deladerrière

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain
Mountain Language, 2022
Galway Arts Centre, Galway, Ireland
Curated by Megs Morley
Photo: Tom Flanagan

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Mountain Language, 2022
Galway Arts Centre, Galway, Ireland
Curated by Megs Morley
Photo: Tom Flanagan

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain
An Experiment With Time,&nbsp;2022
CCA, Glasgow, UK
Curated by Francis McKee &amp; Alaya Ang
Photo: Ruth Clark

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
An Experiment With Time, 2022
CCA, Glasgow, UK
Curated by Francis McKee & Alaya Ang
Photo: Ruth Clark

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain
Living Canvas, 2022
Wilton Park, Dublin, Ireland
Curated by RHA, Dublin City Council and The Lab Gallery

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Living Canvas, 2022
Wilton Park, Dublin, Ireland
Curated by RHA, Dublin City Council and The Lab Gallery

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain
Social Fabric, 2022
Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, Ireland
Curated by Georgie Thompson
Photo: Ros Kavanagh

Ailbhe N&iacute; BhriainAilbhe N&iacute; Bhriain
Social Fabric, 2022
Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, Ireland
Curated by Georgie Thompson
Photo: Ros Kavanagh

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Social Fabric, 2022
Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, Ireland
Curated by Georgie Thompson
Photo: Ros Kavanagh

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain
Towner International, 2020
Towner Eastbourne, Eastbourne, U.K
Selected by Mike Nelson, Polly Staple &amp; Noelle Collins
Photo: Rob Hill

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Towner International, 2020
Towner Eastbourne, Eastbourne, U.K
Selected by Mike Nelson, Polly Staple & Noelle Collins
Photo: Rob Hill

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain
Great Good Places, 2019
Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, Ireland
Curated by Dawn Williams&nbsp;
Photo: Jed Niezgoda&nbsp;

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Great Good Places, 2019
Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, Ireland
Curated by Dawn Williams
Photo: Jed Niezgoda

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain
Inscriptions of an Immense Theatre, 2019&nbsp;
Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
Curated by Cl&iacute;odhna Shaffrey and Michael Hill
Photo: Kasia Kaminska

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Inscriptions of an Immense Theatre, 2019
Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
Curated by Clíodhna Shaffrey and Michael Hill
Photo: Kasia Kaminska

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain
2116 - Forecast of the next century, 2017
Eli &amp; Edyth Broad Art Museum, Michigan, USA
Curated by Caitlin Doherty, Fiona Kearney &amp; Chris Clarke

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
2116 - Forecast of the next century, 2017
Eli & Edyth Broad Art Museum, Michigan, USA
Curated by Caitlin Doherty, Fiona Kearney & Chris Clarke

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
manifesto of fragility, 2022
16th Lyon Biennale
Curated by Sam Bardaouil & Till Fellrath
Photo: François Deladerrière

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Mountain Language, 2022
Galway Arts Centre, Galway, Ireland
Curated by Megs Morley
Photo: Tom Flanagan

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
An Experiment With Time, 2022
CCA, Glasgow, UK
Curated by Francis McKee & Alaya Ang
Photo: Ruth Clark

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Living Canvas, 2022
Wilton Park, Dublin, Ireland
Curated by RHA, Dublin City Council and The Lab Gallery

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Social Fabric, 2022
Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, Ireland
Curated by Georgie Thompson
Photo: Ros Kavanagh

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Towner International, 2020
Towner Eastbourne, Eastbourne, U.K
Selected by Mike Nelson, Polly Staple & Noelle Collins
Photo: Rob Hill

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Great Good Places, 2019
Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, Ireland
Curated by Dawn Williams
Photo: Jed Niezgoda

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
Inscriptions of an Immense Theatre, 2019
Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
Curated by Clíodhna Shaffrey and Michael Hill
Photo: Kasia Kaminska

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain
2116 - Forecast of the next century, 2017
Eli & Edyth Broad Art Museum, Michigan, USA
Curated by Caitlin Doherty, Fiona Kearney & Chris Clarke

Videos

Videos Thumbnails

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain discusses An Experiment with Time at CCA Glasgow, 2022

Ailbhe N&iacute; Bhriain discusses An Experiment with Time at CCA Glasgow, 2022

Ailbhe Ní Bhriain discusses An Experiment with Time at CCA Glasgow, 2022