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FEATURED ALUMNI

Jim Ricks

" I can’t believe its been almost three years since graduation. Adjusting to life outside of the MFA programme since hasn’t always been easy, but with a stubborn sense of purpose and willingness to adapt, I’ve slowly moved forward and learned as much outside of BCA as I did in it.


I currently live in Galway and have become increasingly active in its various arts organisations and festivals. Primarily my time has been spent with Engage Studios, the Galway Arts Centre and to a large extent with 126, Artist-run gallery.


126 is a non-commercial voluntarily-run space that started over four years ago. It is based on the models of Transmission (Glasgow) and Catalyst (Belfast). It has gained an international reputation for fostering experimental and risk-taking contemporary art projects, as well as built a community with its membership of 130+. 126 also provides a much needed visual arts venue for Galway, as there is a nationally recognized shortage of exhibition spaces in the city.


My involvement with 126 began in January 2007 with the solo show Jim Ricks Woz ‘Ere. Later that year, after graduation, I approached one of the founders and expressed my interest in supporting and possibly volunteering at 126. A few days later I was surprised to be asked on as a member of the Board. Needless to say, I quickly accepted. What ensued was a crash course in local politics, contemporary Irish art, and arts administration. My involvement officially ended after a two year term in July of 2009, but I have aided in a smooth transition since and continue to support the project in every way possible..


The experience was quite challenging, but I have gained invaluable knowledge in the process. While serving on the Board of 126, I was part of the team that successfully secured Arts Council Programming Grants and Galway City Grants. I facilitated the exhibition U Complete Me, which included former classmates Meaghan Schwelm, Loren Erdrich, Paul Timoney and Marie Connole, put together our first 2 Members’ Shows, curated the work of Brian Duggan, Alike Cooper, Rainer Ganahl, Mark Cullen, Stephanie Syjuco, Hank Willis Thomas, Ken Fandell and more, organised gallery swaps with Catalyst (Belfast), Pallas (Dublin), Blankspace (Oakland, CA) and Monster Truck (Dublin) and relocated the gallery to the city centre among other things.


In my own practice I have recently received the Artlink ‘New Art Award’ which features a solo show in July 2010 (Buncrana, Co. Donegal) and was selected for Video Killed the Radio Star at the Royal Hibernian Academy, January – February 2010 (Dublin). I have upcoming shows with the MART European Tour, 2010 (London, Oslo, Berlin, St. Peterburg, etc.), Dock Discourse, June 2010 (Galway) and a solo show at the Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery and Studios in 2011. In 2009 I exhibited in The World Shrinks for Those Who Own It, with Oliver Heinzenberger, Galway Arts Centre and The Life and Times of Lillian Virginia Mountweazel, Monster Truck Gallery and Studios (Dublin) participated in Frieze Projects’ COPYSTAND: Autonomous Manufacturing Zone by Stephanie Syjuco (London) and Galway City’s Culture Night, collaborated on The Doctor is In, with Dr. Áine Phillips at the Straylight Performance Art Festival (Dublin) and This Must Be the Place, Irish Museum of Contemporary Art (Dublin). I am currently working on a touring public work, Poulnabrone Bouncy Dolmen, which is part of the Ground Up Artist Collective’s ‘Aughty Temporary Art Projects’, Spring – Autumn 2010. I am also involved with organising projects with Cause Collective and for Dorm, May 2010 at the Model (Sligo)."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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