Carl Doran

Contact Studios member since 1998

About Carl

Originally from Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, I have based my practice in Contact Studios since 1998, and have been Chairperson of the studio for a number of years. I am currently working on a series of drawings, collages and paintings titled ‘Cats’ Tales’, chronicling true and fantastical stories of the cats I find myself guardian to, based on observational drawings. I am also working on a series of illustrated tales featuring their adventures, and published my first book, Mathilda's Tale in 2015. Concurrently, I engage in more socially based art projects, among them Dogs' Tales as part of a commission for Limerick City of Culture 2014, The Peoples' Postcard Project commissioned by Axis in Ballymun, and The Object Renewal Project as part of Askeaton Contemporary Art's Welcome to the Neighbourhood.
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Work

Since 1998 I have been an active member of Contact Studios Limerick. We have a unique bartering system to Ireland, where members give teaching time to a local mental health group, in return for work-spaces. I serve on the committee, instigate annual exhibitions and collaborations with other art groups, while I have held a revolving place on the local mental health association. This I feel is an important working example of the practical social value of art to society, particularly the marginalized.
2014 Dogs’ Tales, Park Kiosk, Limerick.
2013 Cats’ Tales, Raggle Taggle Gallery, Limerick.
2012 Seasonal Variations, Contact Studios as part of Culture Night.
2009 Peoples’ Postcard Project, Breaking Ground Per Cent for Art Commission, Ballymun.
2008 Horizon-Lines, Lucy Tormey Visual Art, Mullingar,Co. Westmeath.
2007 Horizon-Lines, NFGallery, John’s St., Limerick.
2006 Group Pour-trait, Basement Gallery, Dundalk.
2005 Group Pour-trait, Limerick Printmakers, Limerick.
2001 A Domestic Suite, Basement Gallery, Dundalk.
1998 Interiorscapes, Midland Arts’ Resource Centre (MARC), Mullingar.
• 2015 Drawings National Collection of Contemporary Drawings, Limerick City Gallery.

• 2014 Reunion@Contact, Contact Studios, Limerick.
RHA Summer Show, RHA.
Dublin In Exchange.
Contact Studios Group Show.
Bourn Vincent Gallery.

• 2012 Regia, Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick, curated by Michele Horrigan.
Objective Obsessions, selected show, Limerick Printmakers Studio & Gallery.

• 2011 C;inside, studio collective exhibition, Contact Studios.

• 2010 Keeping Contact, Past and present members, Contact Studios Mysterious Reasonings of Constant Reflection, Sycamore Arts, Templebar, curated by Mark Grehan.
C;inside, Studio collective exhibition,Contact Studios, Limerick

• 2009 Peoples’ Postcard Project presentation, Culture Night,Contact Studios.

• 2008 From the Studio, Thinkk Creative, Cecil St. Limerick.
Once Removed, curated by Sean Lynch, Wexford Arts Centre.
Inside Contact, NFGallery, John’s St., Limerick.

• 2007 Presence, Limerick City Gallery.
Some Kinda Monster, ‘War Journal’ Project/ Installation, Galway Arts Centre, curated by Mark Grehan.

• 2006 Askeaton Contemporary Art Festival, ‘Renewal Project’ at Bank of Ireland, Askeaton, Co.Limerick, curated by Michele Horrigan.
C;Inside, River Fringe Arts exhibition and Art Trail, Limerick.
Opening Exhibition, NFGallery, John’s St., Limerick.

• 2005 Merge, Galway Arts Festival.
On The Surface, curated by Mark Grehan , MARC, Mullingar Arca Lucis, Athlone Civic Centre.

• 2004 On Show, Dean Crowe Arts Centre, Athlone.
You Should Really Go There, Limerick City Gallery, curated by Sean Lynch.
A New Dynamic, Dean Crowe Arts Centre, Athlone, curated by Mark Grehan.
Headlines, off-site project in Limerick City Centre, curated by Jenny Haughton.

• 2003 Ensemble, Limerick Printmakers, Limerick.
Chapters of Approach, Church Gallery, Clare St, Limerick.

• 2002 In Process, City Hall, Limerick, curated by Mike Fitzpatrick.

Collections (Selected).

University of Limerick, Jim Kemmy Building, Limerick City Gallery of Art Permanent Collection, Limerick School of Art and Design.
Dundalk Municipal Collection.