Rachel Kenny is a Cork-born, Dublin-based multi-disciplinary artist. She holds a Fine Art Print degree from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, with prior studies in Philosophy, Sociology, and Drama Studies. In 2023, she received the Graduate Award from Graphic Studio Dublin, and her work was acquired by The Office of Public Works, joining Ireland’s State Art Collection. Kenny explores paper-making and printmaking, using ecological philosophy to reflect on the post-pandemic landscape. Her cyanotype work addresses themes of temporality, disintegration, and nature's interdependence. Influenced by Heidegger, she navigates life, death, and transcendence, creating spaces for introspection and self-discovery. She is supported by the Irish Arts Council, with funding from the Agility Award 2024.
Kenny’s current institutional associations include Graphic Studio Dublin, FLUX Studios, The International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists, Design & Crafts Council Ireland and Visual Artists Ireland.
INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Graphic Studio Dublin
FLUX Studios
Design & Crafts Council Ireland
International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists
Visual Artists Ireland
Graphic Studio Dublin
FLUX Studios
Design & Crafts Council Ireland
International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists
Visual Artists Ireland
COLLECTIONS
OPW Dublin Castle
Graphic Studio Dublin
AWARDS
The Irish Arts Council Agility Award (2024)
Graphic Studio Dublin Graduate Award (2023)
Office of Public Works Purchase Award (2023)
National College of Art and Design Commendation Prize for BA Honours Fine Art Print (2023)
OPW Dublin Castle
Graphic Studio Dublin
AWARDS
The Irish Arts Council Agility Award (2024)
Graphic Studio Dublin Graduate Award (2023)
Office of Public Works Purchase Award (2023)
National College of Art and Design Commendation Prize for BA Honours Fine Art Print (2023)
EXHIBITIONS (SELECTED)
2024 Echoes of Home, Simon Communities of Ireland & Graphic Studio Dublin, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin.
2024 Culture Night, FLUX Studios, Chatham Row, Dublin.
2024 Summer Exhibition, Graphic Studio Gallery, Temple Bar, Dublin.
2024 Members Exhibition, FLUX Studios, The Bank 85 James’s St, Dublin.
2024 ÁIT002, ÁIT Spaces, Dublin.
2024 Phizzfest Arts Festival, Daylight Studios, Glasnevin, Dublin.
2024 Types of Beings, Shoebox Gallery, Bismarck Stoneybatter, Dublin.
2024 Interdependent, ArtNetdlr, selected by Cian Mc Loughlin, supported by dlr County Council, Dublin.
2024 ReBloom, IAPMA Paper Art Biennale 2024, Hagen im Bremischen, Germany.
2023 Conversations With Trees, ArtNetdlr, selected by Eamon Colman, supported by dlr County Council.
2023 Here and Now, TON Gallery, Temple Bar, Dublin.
2023 Take What You Want, ÁIT Spaces, Dublin.
2023 Art Riddler Annual Exhibition, Studio 10, Wicklow Street, Dublin.
2023 Graduate Exhibition, National College of Art and Design, Dublin.
2024 Echoes of Home, Simon Communities of Ireland & Graphic Studio Dublin, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin.
2024 Culture Night, FLUX Studios, Chatham Row, Dublin.
2024 Summer Exhibition, Graphic Studio Gallery, Temple Bar, Dublin.
2024 Members Exhibition, FLUX Studios, The Bank 85 James’s St, Dublin.
2024 ÁIT002, ÁIT Spaces, Dublin.
2024 Phizzfest Arts Festival, Daylight Studios, Glasnevin, Dublin.
2024 Types of Beings, Shoebox Gallery, Bismarck Stoneybatter, Dublin.
2024 Interdependent, ArtNetdlr, selected by Cian Mc Loughlin, supported by dlr County Council, Dublin.
2024 ReBloom, IAPMA Paper Art Biennale 2024, Hagen im Bremischen, Germany.
2023 Conversations With Trees, ArtNetdlr, selected by Eamon Colman, supported by dlr County Council.
2023 Here and Now, TON Gallery, Temple Bar, Dublin.
2023 Take What You Want, ÁIT Spaces, Dublin.
2023 Art Riddler Annual Exhibition, Studio 10, Wicklow Street, Dublin.
2023 Graduate Exhibition, National College of Art and Design, Dublin.
PERFORMANCES
2024 God Awful Love, Áit Spaces, Dublin.
2024 God Awful Love, Phizzfest Arts Festival, Dublin.
2023 What are we waiting for? - Tribute to Ashling Murphy, KuBa, Klein Warnow, Germany.
RESIDENCIES
2023 KuBa: Kulturbahnhof., Klein Warnow, Germany
PUBLICATIONS
God Awful Love, 2024
An artistic collaboration spotlighting emerging Irish writer Sarah Creighton-Keogh and visual artist Rachel Kenny
(Forthcoming)
Making of Marks, 2022.
An external collaboration with Blackchurch Print Studios, Dublin and the National College of Art & Design, Dublin.
The Production of Shame and its Impact on the Creative by Rachel Kenny.
Thesis, Dissertation, 2023.
Selected for publication at the National College of Art and Design Library.
2024 God Awful Love, Áit Spaces, Dublin.
2024 God Awful Love, Phizzfest Arts Festival, Dublin.
2023 What are we waiting for? - Tribute to Ashling Murphy, KuBa, Klein Warnow, Germany.
RESIDENCIES
2023 KuBa: Kulturbahnhof., Klein Warnow, Germany
PUBLICATIONS
God Awful Love, 2024
An artistic collaboration spotlighting emerging Irish writer Sarah Creighton-Keogh and visual artist Rachel Kenny
(Forthcoming)
Making of Marks, 2022.
An external collaboration with Blackchurch Print Studios, Dublin and the National College of Art & Design, Dublin.
The Production of Shame and its Impact on the Creative by Rachel Kenny.
Thesis, Dissertation, 2023.
Selected for publication at the National College of Art and Design Library.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & OTHER EDUCATION
BA Fine Art Print
2020-2023
National College of Art & Design, Dublin, Ireland.
Higher Diploma Illustration
2019-2020
Stillorgan College of Further Education, Dublin, Ireland.
Drama Studies, Philosophy & Sociology
2018-2020
University College Dublin, Ireland.
2020-2023
National College of Art & Design, Dublin, Ireland.
Higher Diploma Illustration
2019-2020
Stillorgan College of Further Education, Dublin, Ireland.
Drama Studies, Philosophy & Sociology
2018-2020
University College Dublin, Ireland.
RHA Life Drawing 2024
Royal Hibernian Academy School, Dublin, Ireland.
Graphic Design 2019
Dublin Institute of Design, Ireland.
Screen Acting 2018-2019
Bow Street Academy, Dublin, Ireland.
Drama Studies 2018
The Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin, Ireland.
Royal Hibernian Academy School, Dublin, Ireland.
Graphic Design 2019
Dublin Institute of Design, Ireland.
Screen Acting 2018-2019
Bow Street Academy, Dublin, Ireland.
Drama Studies 2018
The Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin, Ireland.
PRESS
A Cork artist has been chosen to feature in a celebration of ‘captivating paper artworks’.
Editorial Feature, Yay Cork. (2024)
God Awful Love: Exploring Sarah Creighton-Keogh and Rachel Kenny’s Artistic x Poetry Connection.
Editorial Feature, Void Magazine. (2024)
In Conversation With: Rachel Kenny.
Interview with Void Magazine. (2024)
Discovering Rachel Kenny: A Journey into Multidisciplinary Art,
Interview with Starfish Magazine. (2024)
New Generation Gallery.
Artist Profile on Irish Arts Review. Available here. (2023)
Art Riddler: The Selected Artists of 2023.
Artist Profile. Available here. (2023)