Galway Arts Centre is delighted to present a collaborative exhibition by artists Laura O’Connor and Léann Herlihy as part of Galway International Arts Festival 2025, launching on July 13th with an afterparty followed by an Artists Talk on July 14th.

‘pass the baton’, a collaborative exhibition by artists Laura O’Connor and Léann Herlihy
Galway Arts Centre, 47 Dominick Street, Galway
14/07/2025 – 27/07/2025
Opening on 13 July at 6pm

Galway Arts Centre presents ‘pass the baton’, a collaborative exhibition by artists Laura O’Connor and Léann Herlihy that draws on personal histories of competitive sport and performance to interrogate ideas of identity, nationalism and bodily resilience.

O’Connor explores the tension between patriotism and nationalism, influenced by her childhood experiences in a marching band, using durational performance and fragile porcelain structures. Herlihy’s work centres on collective resistance and queer-led self-defense, rejecting traditional notions of bodily resilience in favour of justice, solidarity and collective care. Together, the artists challenge dominant narratives of strength, highlighting the tensions between endurance and resistance through embodied research, sculpture, installation and performance.

Afterparty with tunes by artist & designer Margaret O’Connor! 13 July 8pm
A very special afterparty will take place on July 13th from 8pm in Club Áras na nGael with an eclectic mix of tunes spun by the one and only, artist, designer, stylist, maker of all things and all round live wire Margaret O’Connor joined by dancing divas The Betablockers from 8-Late! Entry only via Galway Arts Centre, with last entry at 8:30pm. RSVPing is essential. Put your name on the guestlist HERE

Artists Talk & Tour on 14 July at 1pm
An artists talk and tour of ‘pass the baton’ with artists Laura O’Connor and Léann Herlihy will take place in the gallery on Monday 14 July at 1pm. Free, no booking required