Hilary Heron: A Retrospective celebrates the pioneering work of modernist sculptor Hilary Heron (1923 – 1977). Hilary Heron was a Dublin born sculptor who co-represented Ireland at the 1956 Venice Biennale alongside painter Louis le Brocquy (1916 – 2012). As the first major retrospective exhibition of Heron’s work since 1964, this exhibition seeks to correct the ways that her work has been overlooked in Irish and international histories of modern sculpture. It will bring together work from national and international collections, including carvings, welding and castings. Heron was a master welder, a practice highly unusual for an Irish artist, let alone a woman in the 1950s. Her work tactfully and skilfully broaches themes of gender, relationships, deep histories and religion through impressive, varied mediums including stone, lead, steel and wood.

The exhibition will also include a display of  contemporary sculpture, drawn from the IMMA Collection, that finds resonances between Heron and other key female artists including Isabel Nolan, Eva Rothschild and Caoimhe Kilfeather. The presentation will be activated by a contemporary performance by Irina Gheorghe responding to key themes.

The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue, published by IMMA, with texts by Riann Coulter, Curator, FE Mc William Gallery & Studio; Seán Kissane, Curator, IMMA; Sara Damaris Muthi, Curator, IMMA; Billy Shortall, researcher and writer, and Eva Rothschild, artist.

This exhibition is curated by IMMA in collaboration with Riann Coulter, Curator, FE Mc William Gallery & Studio. The exhibition will tour to the FE Mc William Gallery & Studio, Banbridge from 15 November 2024 to 15 February 2025.