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Rachel Kenny (b. 1998) is a Cork-born multi-disciplinary artist, based in Dublin, Ireland. She holds a Commended Bachelor's degree in Fine Art Print from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, with prior studies in Philosophy, Sociology, and Drama Studies, University College Dublin. In 2023, she earned the prestigious Graduate Award from Graphic Studio Dublin and her work was acquired by The Office of Public Works, Dublin Castle, joining the esteemed State Art Collection of Ireland. She is currently supported by the Irish Arts Council, with funding from the Agility Award 2024.

Kenny’s work is a contemplative journey, blending the tactile and historic processes of  paper-making & printmaking, exploring themes within ecological philosophy: the philosophy of time, personal identity, and disintegration. The artist is interested in the dichotomy between the handmade & the machine. By embodying both, the artist challenges viewers to enter a space of self-enquiry and philosophical questioning, particularly in the post-pandemic landscape. Kenny’s work is concerned with themes of temporality and the need for control, urging viewers to reconnect with the rhythms of nature and reclaim our humanity in an increasingly mechanised world.



COLLECTIONS

Office of Public Works Dublin Castle
Graphic Studio Dublin Archive Collection


AWARDS

Arts Council Ireland 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)

2025       The Secret of Colour & Light, ArtNetdlr, curated by Louise Neiland, supported by dlr County Council, Dublin.

2024       Daonnacht, Richmond Road Studios, 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

2025        Joya: AiR , Andalucia, Spain.
2023        KuBa: Kulturbahnhof., Klein Warnow, Germany.



PUBLICATIONS

God Awful Love 
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.
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.






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)