The artists chosen for URGENCIES (2025) at CCA Derry~Londonderry have been revealed.

CCA Derry~Londonderry is excited to announce the selection of artists for their upcoming exhibition, URGENCIES (2025). The exhibition will feature works from ten early-career artists connected to the region, showcasing a diverse range of media and addressing pressing issues such as ecological breakdown, mental health, toxic masculinity, conflict, privilege, power, preservation, and healthcare.

The artists chosen for URGENCIES (2025) are Aidan O’Neill, Cara Donaghey, Emily Waszak, Hannah Casey Brogan, James Mooney, Alex Pollock, Rodhlann Mossop, Sadhbh Sheehan, Katrina Cobain, Kelly Ewing, Leah Corbett, Niall McLaughlin, and Sgàire Wood. The selection was made by CCA Director Catherine Hemelryk and artist Jennifer Trouton.

According to Trouton, co-curator of URGENCIES (2025), “It has provided me with a front row seat to the breadth of talent and the diversity of conceptual interests and fascinations amongst today’s emerging artists. Their work has displayed empathy and understanding and a deep concern for personal and societal issues that are both local and global.”

The exhibition, which will be the fourth edition of the biennial group exhibition selected through open call, will launch on Saturday 18 January 2025 at 7pm and will run until 15 March 2025. It will take place in CCA’s galleries and offsite, providing a platform for the artists to engage with audiences both in the gallery and beyond.

Catherine Hemelryk, Director of CCA Derry~Londonderry, spoke about the selection process, saying, “Each call presents some familiar names as well as many that are completely new to us. When selecting the artists for the URGENCIES exhibition, I’m always scouting for artists for other aspects of our programmes at CCA as well as recommending to other researchers and curators, and it’s always really satisfying to see what else ripples out over time.”

Clare Mc Comish, Arts Development Officer for Visual Arts at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, also praised the exhibition, stating, “URGENCIES is a prime example of ambitious programming, supporting new and emerging artists. The biennial group exhibition provides a platform for artists to communicate socio-cultural environmental issues in unique and intriguing ways.”

The Centre for Contemporary Art Derry~Londonderry (CCA) is supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland through its Annual Funding Programme for Organisations. CCA’s work reflects the core values of the Arts Council’s strategic plan, ‘Championing the Arts 2024–34’, particularly in the opportunities it creates for the public to experience innovative, experimental and engaging art.

Previous editions of URGENCIES have received critical acclaim. In 2023, the exhibition featured works from Chloe Austin, Husk Bennett, Daniel Coleman, Sarah Diver Lang, DreamBean, Miach Malachy, Julie Lovett, Richard Magee, Silvia Mandic, and Yasmine Robinson, while the 2021 exhibition included artists such as Martin Boyle, Bryony Dunne, Brian Farrell, Edy Fung, Kathryn Graham, Michael Hanna, Patrick Hickey, Siobhán Kelly, Lucie McLaughlin, Christopher Steenson, and Frank Wasser. The 2019 edition showcased works from Bronagh Gallagher, Denise McShannon, Doireann Ní Ghrioghair, Hamish MacPherson, Laura O’Connor, Michelle Hall, Myriad Carten, Niamh McConaghy, Paddy McKeown, and Soft Fiction Projects (Alessia Cargnelli and Emily McFarland).

URGENCIES (2025) is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Derry City & Strabane District Council.

The exhibition will run from 18 January–15 March 2025, with a launch event on Saturday 18 January 2024 from 7–9pm. The CCA Derry~Londonderry is located at 10–12 Artillery Street, Derry~Londonderry, BT48 6RG, Northern Ireland and is open Tuesday-Saturday from noon-6pm. Admission is free.

For more information, please contact Tansy Cowley, Marketing Coordinator for CCA Derry~Londonderry, at cecelia@ccadld.org or +44(0)2871 373538.

Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.

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