This autumn, the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) will present A R C H I P E L A G O, a major exhibition of contemporary Irish photography. Curated by Davey Moor, the exhibition brings together seventeen inter-generational artists whose work spans the rich spectrum of subjects shaping lens-based culture in Ireland today.
It’s a brilliant collaboration between the gallery’s exhibition department and the always innovative Island Photographers, an artist-led collective that champions engagement with and understanding of photography in Ireland. Since January 2023, Island Photographers has been organising talks on contemporary photography in Ireland. These events allow photographic artists to share their work and receive critical feedback from their peers. The talks facilitate art professionals, with an interest in photographic practice, to talk about their work and contribute to a broader discussion about photography.
They’ve hosted a selection of superbly curated events in venues like The United Arts Club, The National Library of Ireland and Temple Bar Gallery and Studios with a broad range of creatives and curators such as Barcelona based curator, writer, and educator Natasha Christia, photographic collector Dr. David Kronn and IMMA curator Séan Kissane, photographer Linda Brownlee, stylist Aisling Farinella and global creative and design director Keef Nally.
Photography in Ireland has undergone a striking expansion in recent years. For A R C H I P E L A G O, artists were invited to respond to the spatial magnitude of the RHA’s Main Gallery, the largest gallery space in Ireland. Many have embraced its openness with ambitious, in-the-round presentations, pushing beyond the conventions of a traditional photography show.
The works on view encompass the poetry of the everyday, reflections on both psychic and human-altered landscapes, art documentary, constructed abstractions, meditations on borders both visible and invisible, explorations of sexuality and objectification, and observations on Ireland’s shifting sense of welcome. Throughout the exhibition, a collage of Irish cultural identity emerges, along with a portrait of our photographers’ place within it.
Through talks, events, and workshops, Island Photographers work to elevate photography within both fine art and the broader cultural sphere. All eight members of the group will present work in the exhibition. A series of educational talks will accompany the exhibition, offering audiences deeper insights into the themes, processes, and contexts explored by the participating artists. These events will bring together artists, curators, and invited speakers to discuss photography’s place in Ireland’s cultural landscape.
A printed exhibition catalogue will also be published, featuring high-quality reproductions of works, curatorial essays, and contributions from the artists. This publication will serve as both a lasting record of the exhibition and a valuable resource for those interested in contemporary Irish Photography.
A R C H I P E L A G O
Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA), Main Gallery 12 September – 26 October 2025. Tues – Sat: 11 – 5 | Sun: 12 – 5 | Wed Late Opening: 11 – 7
Feature Image: Eimear Lynch – Miss Ireland Teen
