Conor McFeely

Conor McFeely uses a range of media: photographs, films, sounds, texts, objects, arranged together in varying and evolving configurations. Interconnected themes explored by pieces such as the Weathermen projects (2012-), The case of the midwife toad (2007), and Inside his master’s voice (2010), merge historical textures and their residues, epistemological speculation, and the conditions of communication. In Ink Mathematics (2000), McFeely set out to explore an interest in cult literature. More recent projects include the Mariner series (2021-). Using the working title Electric Citizen as a starting point he has developed new work for the St Augustine’s residency. Stemming from an interest in the song Death of an Electric Citizen by The Edgar Broughton band from 1969; a band with a reputation for being radical hippies and social agitators, this work reflects an ongoing look at histories of dissent.

This occasion also marks the launch of the Mariner publication by Conor McFeely. This is a Wild Tulips publication produced by Book Works, London and includes essays by Darren Anderson and Om Lekha.

Conor McFeely was born in Derry N.Ireland, where he  now lives and works. He has exhibited widely both nationally and internationally. His exhibitions include Disclaimer, Orchard Gallery Derry 1997, (solo). Ink Mathematics, The Mappin Gallery, Sheffield (solo). Headfirst, OBG Gallery Belfast 2003, (solo). The British Art Show 5, Hayward Gallery London, touring Edinburgh, Southampton, Cardiff and Birmingham 2000-2001. Small Steps, The Elipse Gallery,Washington DC, 2001. Something Else, Contemporary Art from Ireland, touring Turku, Helsinki, Ouulu, Joensuu Finland, 2003. Hidden Dips MCAC Portadown 2005 (solo). Dogs Have No Religion Czech Museum of Fine Art Prague, 2006. He is a recipient of The Curated Visual Arts Award 2007 (curated by Mike Nelson) resulting in two major solo shows of new work called The Case of the Midwife Toad (the unrepeatable experiment) in The Douglas Hyde Gallery Dublin 2007 and at Void, Derry 2008, and The Testing Rooms/Smashing Forms a site specific audio and video installation at The Maze Prison 2008. In May 2010 he had a major one person exhibition, Inside His Master’s Voice, at The Ormeau Baths gallery Belfast. In 2012 he was artist in residence at the Nordic Kunstamarren in Dale Norway/. In 2013 he has participated in Cologne OFF Digital Arts Festival, and showed three iterations of The Weatherman Projects at Franklin University Lugano Switzerland, Fort Dunree, Donegal and The Golden Thread Gallery Belfast. In 2015 The Prisoners Cinema was shown at The Corner College Gallery Zurich. His Pioneers project has been shown at CCA Derry and QSS Gallery Belfast in 2017.

www.mentalimage.org.uk

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This residency is funded by Derry City & Strabane District Council and Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and is partnership with St Augustine’s Heritage Site.