About
Take Hold is a group exhibition curated by Rachel Botha featuring artists Husk Bennett, Chloe
Brenan, Aifric Prior Beliere, Laura Fitzgerald, Cecelia Graham, Marielle MacLeman, Samir
Mahmood, William McKweon and Michaela Razafima Nash. The project interprets 'hope as a
practice' as a tool in the face of the climate crisis, capitalism, and systems devoid of care. The
work in Take Hold ranges from painting, textile, sound, text, video, sculpture, photography and
installation, and aims to reanimate hope and its relevance in our lives, from no singular
position or viewpoint.
"hope as a practice, rather than a feeling" is a phrase borrowed from the environmental
activist, author, and scholar of Buddhism Joanna Macy. During these times of continued and
intensified war, genocide, disinformation, hatred, facism, racism and fear, hope can be a
committed form of collective resistance, rather than an ephemeral sentiment, for envisioning
a better future. Hope can highlight the necessity of anger in response to injustice, advocating
for a motivation that can turn despair into action.
The exhibition shares its title and concept with a publication that invited contributors to reflect
on our conditions as humans and artists, to share a vulnerability that explores
interconnectedness. This exhibition includes some of the contributors from the publication,
encouraging them to revisit the concept from different perspectives such as the social,
ecological, personal and political. They are joined by additional invited artists, providing further
approaches and contexts.
Take Hold is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland,
Derry City & Strabane District Council and the Visual Arts Bursary, Arts Council Ireland and
includes a selection of works from the Arts Council Ireland Collection.
