DeForrest Brown, Jr. is an Alabama-raised, New York based rhythmanalyst, writer, and representative of the Make Techno Black Again campaign. As Speaker Music, he channels the African American modernist tradition of rhythm and soul music as an intellectual site and sound of generational trauma. On Juneteenth of 2020, he released the album Black Nationalist Sonic Weaponry on Planet Mu. His written work explores the links between the Black experience in industrialized labor systems and Black innovation in electronic music, and has appeared in Artforum, Triple Canopy, NPR, CTM Festival, Mixmag, among many others. He has performed or presented work at Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin; Camden Arts Centre, UK; Unsound Festival, Krakow; Sónar, Barcelona; Issue Project Room, New York; and elsewhere. Assembling a Black Counter Culture is Brown’s debut book.

Further information:

This series of talks took place on Saturday 13th May 2023 in Galway Arts Centre's Nuns Island Theatre as part of the opening of the 'Otolith Group – A Sphere Of Water Orbiting A Star' Exhibition.

A Sphere Of Water Orbiting A Star features significant new work by the Turner Prize nominated The Otolith Group co-commissioned by Galway Arts Centre and Hangar Artistic Research Centre, Lisbon.

‘A Sphere Of Water Orbiting A Star’, conceived by The Otolith Group in collaboration with sound designer and composer Tyler Friedman for Galway Arts Centre, features unreleased recordings of conversations between Gerald Donald of Detroit Techno duo Drexciya and Kodwo Eshun, along with films made in Galway at the mouth of the River Corrib as it enters the Atlantic Ocean.

‘A Sphere Of Water Orbiting A Star’ is an immersive audio visual environment, conceived as a guide to the imagination, exploring a liquid world orbiting a binary star system through the sonic portal of Drexciya.

In this unique event, award winning artists The Otolith Group discuss their new body of work A Sphere Of Water Orbiting A Star and the legacies and influences of the Detroit electronic music duo Drexciya with musician, rhythmanalyst and writer DeForrest Brown Jr, author of  Assembling a Black Counter Culture (Primary Information, 2022).

The Otolith Group is an award-winning artist led collective founded by Anjalika Sagar and Kodwo Eshun in 2002.

DeForrest Brown Jr -  Assembling a Black Counter Culture

REWIND << FASTFORWARD >> RECORD presents Tiernan Arnup Egan discussing the story of Irish LGBTQ+ migrant Frank Egan and the Brixton Fairies.

In this unique event Tiernan Arnup Egan talked about the life and story of their uncle Frank Egan, who left Galway at 15 and joined the Brixton Faeries. They also explored the importance of tracing and sharing Irish LGBTQ+ histories, particularly stories told from less-considered vantage points, like those of the diaspora and Ireland’s west.

This talk was presented on the 10th of September 2022 as part of Collective Knowledges: Galway Arts Centre’s Public Engagement Programme in association with Array Collective’s “The Druthaib’s Ball”- a weekly series of public events with social justice groups, artists, academics, and musicians with talks, workshops, traditional music sessions, dance, storytelling and song.

This event has was coordinated in partnership with Galway Arts Centre’s Artists in Residence REWIND << FASTFORWARD >> RECORD.

Collective Knowledges: Galway Arts Centre’s Public Engagement Programme in association with Array Collective’s “The Druthaib’s Ball” Exhibition which took place from in Nun’s Island Theatre and Galway Arts Centre from the 13 August – 1st October 2022.

Galway Arts Centre’s Public Programme is supported by Creative Ireland and NUI Galway.

Tiernan Arnup Egan, On Frank Egan And The Brixton Fairies - Collective Knowledges

Oein De Bhardúin Faery and Folk Stories from The Irish Traveller Community

This talk took place on the 20th of August 2022as part of Galway Arts Centre’s presentation of Array Collective’s 2021 Turner Prize winning ‘The Druthaib’s Ball’. Galway Arts Centre presented a weekly series of public events with social justice groups, artists, academics, and musicians that takes place in the Turner Prize winning installation or síbín with talks, workshops, traditional music sessions, dance, storytelling and song.

 Poet and LGBTQ+ activist Oein De Bhardúin shared faery and folk stories rooted in the oral tradition of the Irish Traveller community.

Oein DeBhairdúin is a writer, activist and educator with a passion for preserving the beauty of Traveller tales, sayings, retellings and historic exchanges. He is the author of the award-winning Why the moon travels and Traveller Culture Collections Development Officer with the National Museum of Ireland. He seeks to pair community activism with cultural celebration, recalling old tales with fresh modern connections and, most of all, he wishes to rekindle the hearth fires of a shared kinship.

Collective Knowledges: Galway Arts Centre’s Public Engagement Programme in association with Array Collective’s “The Druthaib’s Ball” Exhibition which took place from in Nun’s Island Theatre and Galway Arts Centre from the 13 August – 1st October 2022.

Galway Arts Centre’s Public Programme is supported by Creative Ireland and NUI Galway.

Oein De Bhardúin Faery and Folk Stories from The Irish Traveller Community - Collective Knowledges

This event was coordinated in partnership with Galway Arts Centre’s Artists in Residence REWIND << FASTFORWARD >> RECORD .

Moderated by Han Tiernan this discussion with LGTBQ+ activist, and Galway Pride founder Nuala Ward,  explores the social and political history and origins of Pride in Galway, which is Ireland’s longest running pride event.

The REWIND<<FASTFORWARD>>RECORD (RFR) initiative is aimed at engaging with LGBTQ+ community groups on a national platform to uncover queer histories and expand their retelling and relevance through a series of talks, tours, workshops and personal accounts.

This talk took place on the 2nd of September 2022 as part of Galway Arts Centre’s presentation of Array Collective’s 2021 Turner Prize winning ‘The Druthaib’s Ball’. Galway Arts Centre presented a weekly series of public events with social justice groups, artists, academics, and musicians that takes place in the Turner Prize winning installation or síbín with talks, workshops, traditional music sessions, dance, storytelling and song.

Collective Knowledges: Galway Arts Centre’s Public Engagement Programme in association with Array Collective’s “The Druthaib’s Ball” Exhibition which took place from in Nun’s Island Theatre and Galway Arts Centre from the 13 August – 1st October 2022.

Galway Arts Centre’s Public Programme is supported by Creative Ireland and NUI Galway.

Nuala Ward - Collective Knowledges

Dr Miriam Haughton On Repeal The 8th Referendum

As part of Galway Arts Centre's public enagement programme in association with Array Collective's "The Druthaib's Ball", Dr Jeannine Woods, discusses her research into traditional Irish Wakes and transgressive performance.

Dr Jeannine Woods, Lecturer in Irish and Postcolonial Studies NUI Galway, discusses her research into traditional Irish Wakes and transgressive performance.

This talk took place on 30th of September 2022 as part of Galway Arts Centre’s presentation of Array Collective’s 2021 Turner Prize winning ‘The Druthaib’s Ball’. Galway Arts Centre presented a weekly series of public events with social justice groups, artists, academics, and musicians that takes place in the Turner Prize winning installation or síbín with talks, workshops, traditional music sessions, dance, storytelling and song.

Collective Knowledges: Galway Arts Centre’s Public Engagement Programme in association with Array Collective’s “The Druthaib’s Ball” Exhibition which took place from in Nun’s Island Theatre and Galway Arts Centre from the 13 August – 1st October 2022.

Galway Arts Centre’s Public Programme is supported by Creative Ireland and NUI Galway.

Dr Miriam Haughton on Repeal the 8th Referendum - Collective Knowledges

The Irish Names Quilt Discussion With Liz Martin, Kate Drinane And Páraic Kerrigan.

REWIND << FASTFORWARD >> RECORD in conversation with Liz Martin,  Kate Drinane, Páraic Kerrigan and Han Tiernan (RFR) about the Galway contribution to the Irish Names Quilt, which is displayed in Galway Arts Centre’s gallery at 47 Dominick Street. The piece is on loan courtesy of Queer Culture Ireland.

This conversation took place on the 3rd of August 2022 as part of Galway Arts Centre’s presentation of Array Collective’s 2021 Turner Prize winning ‘The Druthaib’s Ball’. Galway Arts Centre presented a weekly series of public events with social justice groups, artists, academics, and musicians that takes place in the Turner Prize winning installation or síbín with talks, workshops, traditional music sessions, dance, storytelling and song.

This event was coordinated in partnership with Galway Arts Centre’s Artists in Residence REWIND << FASTFORWARD >> RECORD.

The Irish Names Project was created in honour and remembrance of those who died in Ireland from AIDS and HIV-related illnesses. The Irish Names Project was initiated in 1990 by Mary Shannon (1947-2020), a leading member of the Quilt Group, which is one of the longest running community groups in Dublin. The community was seminal in educating people about HIV/AIDS and safe sex. Patches for the quilts were made in Galway, Dublin, Limerick and many other places around Ireland by loved ones and family members of those who lost their lives to HIV/AIDS.

Liz Martin is a HIV Activist and Author of “Still Standing: An Irish Woman’s story of HIV and Hope. Liz is a mother of four, who has been living with HIV for the past 30 years. During this time, Liz has worked tirelessly challenging HIV related stigma and discrimination. Today she continues to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS in Ireland and overseas, bringing hope to others who feel they have no voice.

Kate Drinane is the co-founder of the Queer Culture Ireland research network. She is also part of the Education Team at the National Gallery of Ireland. She has introduced and developed LGBTQIA+ programming at the Gallery, including the management of OUTing the Past: Festival of LGBT History. She volunteers with ShoutOut and Gaisce LikeMinded, through which she mentors young people in the LGBTQIA+ community. She holds a BA and MA in Art History from the University College Dublin.

Dr. Páraic Kerrigan is an Assistant Professor, author and researcher with the School of Information and Communication Studies at University College Dublin. His research pertains to the dynamics of diversity in the media industry and its production cultures, specifically centred around Ireland’s LGBT community along with a focus on digital media cultures and platform governance. He has just released his first book, LGBTQ Visibility, Media and Sexuality in Ireland (Routledge 2021) He is also co-principal investigator on the Waking the Hirschfeld: An Oral and Archival History of Dublin’s LGBTQ Community Centre. This project is in collaboration with the National Museum of Ireland (NMI), with a book under contract with Liverpool University Press, a limited podcast series and an archive being developed for NMI.

Collective Knowledges: Galway Arts Centre’s Public Engagement Programme in association with Array Collective’s “The Druthaib’s Ball” Exhibition which took place from in Nun’s Island Theatre and Galway Arts Centre from the 13 August – 1st October 2022.

Galway Arts Centre’s Public Programme is supported by Creative Ireland and NUI Galway.

The Irish Names Quilt Discussion -Liz Martin-Kate Drinane-Páraic Kerrigan-Collective Knowledges

Professor Lillis Ó Laoire, performs a set of traditional songs and shares the history and folklore behind them.

This presentation took place on 19th August 2022 as part of Galway Arts Centre’s presentation of Array Collective’s 2021 Turner Prize winning 'The Druthaib’s Ball'. Galway Arts Centre presented a weekly series of public events with social justice groups, artists, academics, and musicians that takes place in the Turner Prize winning installation or síbín with talks, workshops, traditional music sessions, dance, storytelling and song.

Lillis Ó Laoire is an award-winning sean-nós singer from Gort A’ Choirce in County Donegal, who combines performance and academic practice. His performance will present both údar or brí an amhráin, and the songs themselves. Some of these songs are lighthearted and rhythmic while others plumb the depths of the human soul. The performance will deal with the stories and background of the songs prior to singing them. Topics will include unrequited love, a staple of sean-nós song and other more historical material.

Galway Arts Centre’s Public Engagement Programme is supported by Creative Ireland and University of Galway.

Lillis Ó Laoire - History and Folklore of Traditonal Songs - Collective Knowledges

This talk took place on 30th September 2022 as part of Galway Arts Centre’s presentation of Array Collective’s 2021 Turner Prize winning The Druthaib’s Ball, Galway Arts Centre presents a weekly series of public events with social justice groups, artists, academics, and musicians that takes place in the Turner Prize winning installation or síbín with talks, workshops, traditional music sessions, dance, storytelling and song.

Dr Jeannine Woods, Lecturer in Irish and Postcolonial Studies at NUI Galway, discusses her research into traditional Irish Wakes and transgressive performance.

Collective Knowledges: Galway Arts Centre’s Public Engagement Programme in association with Array Collective’s “The Druthaib’s Ball” Exhibition which took place from in Nun’s Island Theatre and Galway Arts Centre from the 13 August – 1st October 2022.

Galway Arts Centre’s Public Programme is supported by Creative Ireland and NUI Galway.

Dr Jeannine Woods On Traditional Irish Wakes - Collective Knowledges

This storytelling session with the legendary Eddie Lenihan place on 23rd  September 2022 on 'Culture Night' as part of Galway Arts Centre’s presentation of Array Collective’s 2021 Turner Prize winning The Druthaib’s Ball, Galway Arts Centre presented a weekly series of public events with social justice groups, artists, academics, and musicians that takes place in the Turner Prize winning installation or síbín with talks, workshops, traditional music sessions, dance, storytelling and song.

Collective Knowledges: Galway Arts Centre’s Public Engagement Programme in association with Array Collective’s “The Druthaib’s Ball” Exhibition which took place from in Nun’s Island Theatre and Galway Arts Centre from the 13 August – 1st October 2022.

Further Information

Eddie Lenihan, is an Irish author, storyteller, lecturer and broadcaster. He is one of the few practising seanchaithe (traditional Irish lore-keepers and tale-spinners) remaining in Ireland. He has been called "one of the greatest of Irish story-tellers", "a national treasure"and an "absolute legend." (Wiki)

Eddie Lenihan - Collective Knowledges

This conversation took place on the 22nd of August 2023 in Galway Arts Centre's Nuns Island Theatre where Array Collective members Jane Butler and Stephen Millar discuss their work with Director/Curator Megs Morley.

About Array Collective

The 2021 winners, the Array Collective, is a group of 11 Belfast-based artists from the north and south of Ireland, England and Italy. They all live and work in Belfast creating collaborative projects in response to issues affecting Northern Ireland and issues around access to abortion, gay rights, mental health, gentrification and social welfare. They are the first artists from Northern Ireland to win the Prize and their work encompasses performances, protests, exhibitions and events. While each has their own artistic practice, the prize was won as a collective.

Commenting the Array Collective said, “We are all delighted to be able to show the work in Galway and open up a fresh dialogue with audiences in Ireland following on from the conversations it generated in England. The Galway outing naturally lends itself to explorations of the myths, music and politics inherent in the work.”

Newly appointed Galway Arts Centre Director/Curator Megs Morley said. “We are absolutely thrilled to be presenting the Array Collective’s Turner Prize winning work in our spaces in Nun’s Island Theatre and Galway Arts Centre. This event marks a significant milestone for Galway Arts Centre and we’re excited to invite audiences from near and far to Galway this August/September to be the first to see this work in Ireland.”

Part of this major installation is The Druthaib’s Ball, centred on an imagined síbín – an illegal bar – with a floating roof made from banners created for protests and demonstrations. The Druthaib’s Ball is a built installation that invites audiences into an immersive experience reflecting the lively community hub of the Irish síbin, a long-established tradition of an illegal bar and space of contradiction, dark humour, and craic.  Audiences will gather in this síbin – populated by semi-mythological drúthaib, along with the Ball’s esteemed guests. To accompany the installation there will be a programme of events with local social justice groups, artists and musicians to animate the sibín with traditional music sessions, dance, storytelling and song.

Dates and Details

The Array Collective’s Turner Prize winning installation opened on 13 August in Nun’s Island Theatre in Galway and ran until 30 September. A wider exhibition of artworks by the Array Collective will be on view in the Galway Arts Centre’s gallery spaces providing a unique opportunity for audiences in Galway and beyond to experience the prolific and vibrant work of this incredible artist collective.

Galway Arts Centre would like to acknowledge the support of their funding partners, the Arts Council and Galway City Council. The presentation of the Turner Prize winning Array Collective is supported by an Arts Council touring grant and the public programme of events is supported by Creative Ireland.

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