Backwater Artists Group

18/06/2026

SOFTctrl is a new solo exhibition by emerging artist Billie Adele at Studio 12, Backwater Artists Group, Cork.Running 11 June – 17 July 2026, developed thro

18/06/2026

“I recently joined the Backwater Artists Network as I was seeking structured professional development support that had been missing from my practice. The combination of curatorial programming, members meet-ups and guidance with applications is already helping to further professionalise my practice while expanding professional connections.

For me, Backwater offers not only resources but also critical dialogue and tangible pathways for sustained artistic growth.”

Evgeniya Martirosyan

The Backwater Artists Network supports visual artists working outside of the studio complex through structured professional development, peer exchange, curatorial engagement and exhibition opportunities within an established artist-led organisation in Cork City. Membership is open to artists at all stages of their practice.

Interested in becoming part of the network? Learn more about our Studio, Darkroom and Backwater Artists Network memberships via the link in our bio.

17/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to the opening of SOFTctrl at Studio 12 last week.

SOFTctrl is a new solo exhibition by emerging artist Billie Adele, developed through the Backwater Artists Group Ciarán Langford Memorial Bursary, awarded to Adele in 2025. To find out more about the work, come along to our In Conversation event with Billie Adele and Kevin Mooney on July 10th.

Billie Adele | SOFTctrl
11 June – 17 July 2026

Studio 12 | Tues – Fri | 10am – 5pm
Backwater Artists Group, Wandesford Quay, Cork

In Conversation
Friday 10 July | 1pm
Booking via website (link in bio)

16/06/2026

Our series of Curator Visits continues this week with our next guest, Kate Strain. Kate will meet with several of our members to discuss their work.

As part of our professional development programme, Backwater Artists members can meet one-to-one with visiting national and international curators to discuss their practice and receive valuable feedback.

Interested in joining our community? Find out more about membership on our website (link in bio).

Kate Strain is founding CEO and Artistic Director of Kunstverein Projects, Ireland. In 2022 she established Kunstverein Aughrim, a curatorial production office that accompanies artistic practice through creative production. From 2016–2021 Strain was Artistic Director of Grazer Kunstverein, Austria, where she curated a rolling programme of newly commissioned exhibitions and public projects. Prior to that she was Acting Curator at Project Arts Centre, Dublin; a participant of de Appel Curatorial Programme, Amsterdam; a participant of the Young Curators Residency Programme at Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Turin; and a graduate of MA Visual Arts Practice, IADT Dun Laoghaire and BA History of Art and Architecture, Trinity College Dublin. Strain collaborates on curatorial research and commissioning projects RGKSKSRG with Rachael Gilbourne and the Department of Ultimology with Fiona Hallinan. Strain is a member of IKT, the international association of curators of contemporary art, and regularly lectures in art history, curatorial practice and creative production.

12/06/2026

The series begins on Thursday, 18 June with artist Brian Harte in conversation with Elaine Coakley. sively for our members exploring different aspects of professional artistic practice and career development.

Taking place throughout the year, the series will invite established artists to reflect on their career and share insights into navigating the professional art world — from gallery representation and art fairs to exhibiting internationally and managing the business side of artistic practice.

The series begins on Thursday 18 June with artist Brian Harte in conversation with Elaine Coakley.

A former member of Backwater Artists Group, Brian Harte was awarded the Ciarán Langford Memorial Bursary in 2002 and held a studio onsite for six months early in his career. Returning to Backwater for this conversation, Harte will reflect on the development of his practice over the past two decades, discussing the evolution of his work and his experience working with galleries and institutions internationally.

Brian Harte (b. 1978) lives and works in Ireland and is known for his large-scale paintings focusing on themes of his family’s domestic setting and the architecture of their home. His work utilises imagery from this arena to produce paintings that depict a visual network that is both private and universal.
Harte is represented by Tatjana Pieters Gallery, MAKI Gallery and Simchowitz Gallery. Recent solo exhibitions include For Smart Living at Butler Gallery, f.i.o.p.n. at Tatjana Pieters Gallery, Afterimage at Simchowitz Gallery and Return of the Hawthorne at MAKI Gallery. His work has recently been acquired by the Butler Gallery, the OKETA Collection, the Arts Council of Ireland and Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg for their permanent collections.

Members can sign up via our website (link in bio)

11/06/2026

Sneak peek...

Finishing touches are being made on SOFTctrl, a new solo exhibition by Billie Adele opening tonight at Backwater Artists Group.

Developed through the Backwater Artists Group Ciarán Langford Memorial Bursary, awarded in 2025, SOFTctrl brings together a series of striking oil paintings that explore femininity, performance, beauty, and control through grotesque and hyperfeminine figures. Drawing on horror, sci-fi, and occult imagery, Adele's work creates unsettling and compelling worlds that challenge fixed ideas of identity and selfhood.

Join us for the opening reception:

Thursday 11 June | 6pm
Studio 12, Backwater Artists Group, Wandesford Quay, Cork
Free event | All welcome

The exhibition continues until 17 July 2026.

10/06/2026

Last weekend saw another fantastic workshop as part of our skill-sharing series - Frame Making with Elize De Beer. Our members had the opportunity to learn how to create wooden frames using the framing-making tool at Backwater Artist Group. They gained hands-on experience in the construction of the frame, glass installation and creating a float mount for a paper-based artwork.

This is one of the many peer learning and skill-sharing opportunities available to all our members as part of our wider development programme.

Want to learn more about how to become a member?
Visit our website (link in bio)

05/06/2026

Announcing the Winners of Backwater Artists Group Bursary Awards 2026!

Ciarán Langford Memorial Bursary - Louise Clarke

Backwater Moving Image Bursary - Sarah Murphy

Backwater Artists Network Membership - Eilis Kennedy, Rebecca Quinn Sweeney, Tara Fitzgearld, Claire Murphy, Ella O'Sullivan, Harrison Connolly

Backwater Artists Group has supported emerging artists since 1990 through a dedicated Bursary Programme developed in partnership with MTU Crawford College of Art & Design. Each year we provide studio access, mentorship and exhibition opportunities to graduating artists. To date, over 130 artists have benefited from these awards.

Congratulations to all the winners. We look forward to welcoming you to Backwater Artists Group and supporting you in the next chapter of your careers!

04/06/2026

04/06/2026

Exhibitions opening this month featuring backwater Artists Group Members.

Follow the artists to find out more



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