Current Exhibitions...

126 presents:

It means...
A new solo show by James Merrigan.

February 11th through March 6th, 2010.
Opening reception: February 11th 7 – 9pm.

126 is proud to present a new solo show from Wicklow based artist, James Merrigan.  it means... is a mixed-media installation that plays with language and image to announce a set of truths through proclaimed “misconceptions.”

Through a series of grammatical clichés and signifiers, Merrigan situates politics, capitalism, and potential horror in a set of fabricated arenas.  These "arenas" reference the morning TV news/ chat show; the blue-collar small town; the city-convenience store; the generic - filmic motel room and the political stage.

James Merrigan's current work positions itself at a distance from his source, America.  He presents a certain skewed displacement in works that use fictitious elements, cinema, movies (horror film), popular culture, American vernacular, science-fiction, in a DIY, low-tech style aesthetic, that has an uncanny sensibility. Something uncomfortable (that can become humorous,) resides in the work.  In his work, America is presented as the great subject, gradually being disseminated through language games and broken narratives.  The audience is left with crudely cut fractions of a bigger happening that centre around ideas of crisis, horror, ritual, and the fear of banality.

James Merrigan is an artist living and working in Wicklow.  He completed a BA in Fine Art at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art & Design in 2004 and is a 2008 Graduate from the MFA program at NCAD.  Awarded NCAD Graduate Studentship (2008), he has had previous solo exhibitions at Queen Street Gallery & Studios, Belfast and thisisnotashop, Dublin and has been selected for various group shows including; the Emerging Irish Artist Group Show, “It Goes On,” at Temple Bar Gallery & Studios, Dublin; PROJECTOR at FOUR Gallery, Dublin (2009); and most recently in the 126 3rd annual members’ show at the Royal Hibernian Academy, Jan - Feb 2010.

126 was established in 2006 by local artists in their own living room as a response to the need for more non-commercial gallery spaces in Galway and is currently located on Queen Street in the city centre.  126 is a voluntarily led, artist-run gallery that is known for promoting challenging and experimental works that would not be seen in commercial galleries or conventional institutions. 126 is supported by the Arts Council, the Galway City Council and its membership.

--

126 with the RHA presents:

The 3rd Annual 126 Members' Show
VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR

Part of the Artist Curates series at the RHA.

Opening reception January 14th 6 - 8pm, runs until February 27th.

As part of our continued commitment to support our membership, 126 is proud to present it's third annual members' show hosted this year by the Royal Hibernian Academy.  126 is grateful for the financial and moral support of its members and each year offers this special opportunity to exhibit their work.

The membership was asked to respond to the theme 'Video Killed The Radio Star' and 126, artist-run gallery has curated a range of work which reflects the diverse membership, from emerging artists to those more established, working in a variety of disciplines, including: painting, video, works on paper, sculpture, installation and photography.  The works speak of and to society at a time of perceived change with responses that range from the critical and cynical to those with a more playful and humorous tone.

Artists showing are: Paul Murnaghan, Dominic Thorpe, Angela Darby, Fiona Chambers, Jim Ricks, David Finn, Padraig Robinson, Kevin Mooney, Austin Ivers, Nina Amazing, Timothy Acheson & Jennifer Cunningham, Kathryn Maguire, James Merrigan and Breda Lynch.

126 was established in 2006 by local artists in their own living room as a response to the need for more non-commercial gallery spaces in Galway and is currently located on Queen Street in the city centre.  126 is a voluntarily led, artist-run gallery that is known for promoting challenging and experimental works that would not be seen in commercial galleries or conventional institutions. 126 is supported by the Arts Council, the Galway City Council and its membership.

Membership is open to all who support the aims and ethos of 126.  Please visit our website www.126.ie for more information on becoming a member.

This project has been made possible by the RHA.