Visual Artist
Drawing on Hannah Arendt's theory that paradoxically as human powers increase through technological and humanistic inquiry, we are less equipped to control the consequences of our actions; this fact confronts us more so today than ever, especially with the threat of environmental destruction, global warming and climatic catastrophes.
My practice explores our human concerns in social, political and cultural contexts, generating a space to engage with complex issues, raise questions and promote critical dialogue. My work often deals with challenging subject matter regarding our responsibilities as individuals, as communities, and universally. I seek to find alternative points of view to critically analyse and create new conversations around issues that matter to me.
Key components of my practice include painting, drawing, research, film, editing, and sound design.
Photo credit: Helena. Powell
Bernie Masterson / A Brief CV
Bernie Masterson was born in Ballymoney, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, she lives and works in Dublin. Recent and upcoming exhibitions and screenings include: 'Are Ye Dancin' Screening Waterford Film Festival' (2024); 'Europe in the Heart of Ireland' inaugural painting exhibition at the Europa Gallery Dublin 2 in partnership with the Hamilton Gallery Nov (2024); Caride Arts Festival August (2024); 'The Call of the Shannon' screening at the Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival August (2024); 'Are Ye Dancin' Bloomsday Film Festival (2024); The LOOP Festival Barcelona 14th - 24th Nov (2023); 142nd Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition (Oct 2023); 'Flight' Damer House Gallery 'Homeland 10 Years' anniversary exhibition 7th October (2023); ‘Winter Sea’ The Ballinglen Arts Foundation and Museum of Art First Biennial Exhibition (2023); ‘Who Owns My Body’ Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival August (2023); ‘Neither Here Nor There’ A four person painting exhibition curated by Catherine Hammond July (2023); 'Displacement and Belonging' RUA RED Spring Group Show 2023 curated by Maoliosa Boyle, Hugh McCarthy and Órla McGovern; Bloomsday Film Festival (2022); Tokyo International Short Film Festival (2022); New Wave Short Film Festival Munich Germany (2022); Airflix Film Festival London (2022); Global Shorts USA (2022); The Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition (2021); I Am What I Am, Ballina Arts Centre Online Program July (2021); Artlink Summer Open (Bring the Mind Home) curated by Kaithlynn Webster June (2021); Lacuna Festivals International, Contemporary Art festivals: Distance July (2021); MExindex 2020 Open Submission curated by Richard Ashrowan, founder of Alchemy Film Festival; Online Screening Programme Contemporary Irish Arts Centre Los Angles, CIALAC Sept 2020; The Annual Royal Ulster Academy Open 2020; The Janet Mullarney Prize 2020 Highlanes Gallery Drogheda; Irish Short Reels Series, Contemporary Irish Arts Center Los Angeles USA, (Aug 2019); Homeland: Of Memory, LOOP Festival, curated by Angel Garcia and Natalia Foguet, Safia Art Contemporani, Barcelona, Spain (Nov 2018, 2019); The Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition Open (2018);
Recent awards include: Prize winner at the Birr Vintage Week and Art Festival 2023; Arts Council Agility Award Round 2 2023; Award winner at Airflix Film Festival and Global Shorts 2022; The Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition Prize Winner 2021 sponsored by the 'Irish News' newspaper and adjudicated by Dr. Éimear O' Connor; An Arts Council Agility Award Round One June 2021; The Janet Mullarney 1st Prize in June 2020 for her short film 'Flight', curated by Seån Kissane, Joy Gerrard and Jerome O Drisceoil in association with the Highlanes Gallery.
Her works are in many collections both at home and abroad including the Hightlanes Gallery Collection, OPW, the Civic Theatre Tallaght, Limerick County Council, Microsoft Ireland, Dept of Telecommunication and Regulation, Tyrone Production, and Harcourt Development, Axa Insurance, Fingal County Council, Department of Finance and Personnel, N. Ireland Civil Service, Allied Irish Bank and many more.