Léann Herlihy (they/them) is an artist and researcher based in Dublin. The methodological fulcrum of their practice pivots around academic studies in queer theory and feminist epistemologies which they utilise in tandem with live action, performance, video, sculpture and text. Pairing gestural action with in-depth research, their practice employs an emancipatory paradigm that actively destabilises gendered and sexualised dichotomies in an overtly heteronormative society.
Originally from Waterford, Léann Herlihy holds a MA in Gender Studies from University College Dublin and a BA in Sculpture, Performance and Spatial Awareness from the University of Arts Poznań, Poland. Solo exhibitions include Beyond Survival School Bus [2022] Dublin Fringe Festival; the middle of nowhere [2022] Project Arts Centre, Dublin; STUNTMAN [2020] ]performance s p a c e[, London; Trojan Horse [2019] STROBOSKOP Art Space, Warsaw. Select group exhibitions and festivals include TRANSFAG: a Celebration and a Manifesto [2022] Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest, London; TIDING [2022] ]performance s p a c e[, London; Slow Sunday [2020] Artsadmin, Toynbee Studios, London; Foreign Bodies [2019] Zachęta National Gallery of Art, Warsaw; Biennale Warszawa [2019] Mokotowska, Warsaw; ZABIH Performance Festival [2019] Lviv, Ukraine. They were also an artist-in-residence at Temple Bar Gallery + Studios [Project Studio 2021-2022], Museum of Everyone [2022], Steak House Live Residency Programme, London [2020] and Assembly #2, Simiane-La-Rotonde, France [2019].
Léann Herlihy is the recipient of the Arts Council of Ireland’s Next Generation Artist Award [2022], Visual Arts Bursary [2021] & Agility Award [2021 – 2022].
Matt Kennedy (he/him) is an Irish Research Council Scholar and doctoral candidate in the area of trans studies in the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice at University College Dublin, a writer and a boxer. He is currently employed in Belong To, Ireland’s National LGBTQ+ youth organisation as the policy and research officer as well as completing his PhD on transnormativity. His research areas and interests include trans studies, queer studies, autoethnography, disciplinarity, abolition, feminist theory, gender studies, archival studies, youth studies, sport and masculinities. His writing can be found in The Bulletin of Applied Transgender Studies, Irish University Review and Fruit Journal.
