Lavit Gallery

LAST WEEK

Vessels | Julia Dlugosz
Cork Arts Society Vaults Award
Vaults, Lavit Gallery
22 September – 10 October 2026

Artist talk 10 October, 3pm

"As my practice develops, I am expanding my inspirations to different periods throughout Egyptian history, looking more closely at the rituals and processes surrounding mummification. In particular, I have become interested in the sacred oils and balms used in the preservation process, and the significance they held within Ancient Egyptian culture. This has led me to explore new vessel forms inspired by ancient, intricate glass bottles. Their varied shapes, proportions and detailed surfaces have encouraged me to lean further into surface design, particularly through the use of sgraffito.

I am continuing to use the same crank terracotta clay and blue cobalt oxide throughout this new series, allowing the new forms and ideas to remain connected to my previous work. By maintaining these materials and colours, I hope the two series can blend naturally and ultimately become one larger body of work. The series will continue to expand over time, with the goal of creating multiple vessels in varying shapes and sizes that can exist individually while also working together as a larger collection."

Julia Dlugosz is the 2025 recipient of the Cork Arts Society Vaults Award. This new award gives a graduate of MTU Crawford College of Art & Design the opportunity to exhibit in the unique vault spaces at Lavit Gallery.

The 2026 Cork Arts Society t/a Lavit Gallery visual arts programme is kindly supported by Arts Grants from the Arts Council of Ireland and Cork City Council.
d.art

Diarmuid Breen | A place to be
01–31 October

Artist talk, Saturday 10 October, 12pm

1. Summer Meadow, 2026, Oil on Canvas, 50 x 40 cm, €2400
2. Saturday Sun, 2026, Oil on Canvas, 50 x 40 cm, €2400
3. Dawn Chorus, 2026, Oil on Canvas, 40 x 50 cm, €2400

In Diarmuid’s own words his work is about “the routines, pressures, and expectations that shape everyday life, often highlighting how work can become repetitive, exhausting, or overwhelming…. his paintings include a quieter subplot about the importance of free time… he is interested in the contrastDiarmuid Breenof labour and moments of rest, and how rare and meaningful unstructured time can be.”

All available works can be viewed and purchased online on the exhibition page
OR link in bio

ARTIST TALKS NEXT SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER

12PM
Diarmuid Breen in conversation with Brian Mac Domhnaill, Director of Lavit Gallery. In association with the exhibition 'A place to be' in the main gallery. Hear about the artist's career path, his themes and process.

Image credit: Lavit Gallery

3PM
Julia Dlugosz artist talk and exhibition tour. In association with the installation 'Vessels' in the vaults at Lavit Gallery. Learn about this emerging artist's incredible ceramics practice that honours tradition while reflecting contemporary perspectivesd.art
Image credit: Jolene Cronin

THE PLACE TO BE INDEED

We had a great opening reception yesterday evening for Diarmuid Breen's solo exhibition A place to be. There are 7 red dots on the wall and a couple of those would have sold twice! If you are interested in seeing the work with a view to buying we have just added all the unsold pieces to the exhibition page on the website here https://lavitgallery.com/exhibition/a-place-to-be/ OR link in bio. If you dont want to pay in full you canvisit the gallery and pay a deposit or do so over the phone.

Diarmuid Breen | A place to be
Until 31 October

Artist talk, Saturday 10 October, 12pm

“I create paintings that explore work and the human experience of working. My artwork focuses on the routines, pressures, and expectations that shape everyday life, often highlighting how work can become repetitive, exhausting, or overwhelming. Alongside this, my paintings include a quieter subplot about the importance of free time. I am interested in the contrast between moments of labour and moments of rest, and how rare and meaningful unstructured time can be. These moments are shown as pauses, empty spaces, or shifts in mood that suggest relief, reflection, or freedom. They represent the human need to exist beyond constant responsibility. I use paint, colour, and composition to emphasise repetition and structure within work environments, while allowing freer marks and softer elements to appear in scenes of rest. This contrast mirrors the tension between obligation and personal time. Through my work, I hope viewers reflect on their own relationship with work and consider the value of rest as an essential part of being human.” Diarmuid Breen, 2026.

The 2026 Lavit Gallery programme is kindly supported by Arts Grants from The Arts Council of Ireland and Cork City Council.

THIS EVENING 5.30PM....LAVIT IS THE PLACE TO BE AFTER WORK

Diarmuid Breen | A place to be
01–31 October

Opening reception Thursday 01 October, 5.30-7.30pm. W**e by Bubble Brothers

Artist talk, Saturday 10 October, 12pm

“I create paintings that explore work and the human experience of working. My artwork focuses on the routines, pressures, and expectations that shape everyday life, often highlighting how work can become repetitive, exhausting, or overwhelming. Alongside this, my paintings include a quieter subplot about the importance of free time. I am interested in the contrast between moments of labour and moments of rest, and how rare and meaningful unstructured time can be. These moments are shown as pauses, empty spaces, or shifts in mood that suggest relief, reflection, or freedom. They represent the human need to exist beyond constant responsibility. I use paint, colour, and composition to emphasise repetition and structure within work environments, while allowing freer marks and softer elements to appear in scenes of rest. This contrast mirrors the tension between obligation and personal time. Through my work, I hope viewers reflect on their own relationship with work and consider the value of rest as an essential part of being human.” Diarmuid Breen, 2026.
Born in Cork, Diarmuid graduated from the Dublin Institute of Technology BAVA, Sherkin Arts Programme in 2012. Since then he has exhibited regularly in Cork and Dublin. He is represented by Taylor Galleries in Dublin, McKenna Gallery in Omagh, Co. Tyrone and Blue House Gallery, Schull, County Cork. He has exhibited in the Boyle Arts Festival, RHA Annual exhibitions and was the inaugural winner of the Anita Young Award for a mid-career artist at the 191st RHA Annual Exhibition. He was also awarded the de Vere’s prize for an artwork of distinction at the 194th RHA Annual Exhibition. His painting The Avenue was purchased by the OPW in 2024 and is now part of their permanent collection.

The 2026 Lavit Gallery programme is kindly supported by Arts Grants from The Arts Council of Ireland and Cork City Council.

OPENING TOMORROW

Diarmuid Breen | A place to be
01– 31 October

Opening reception Thursday 01 October, 5.30-7.30pm. W**e by Bubble Brothers

Artist talk, Saturday 10 October, 12pm

“I create paintings that explore work and the human experience of working. My artwork focuses on the routines, pressures, and expectations that shape everyday life, often highlighting how work can become repetitive, exhausting, or overwhelming. Alongside this, my paintings include a quieter subplot about the importance of free time. I am interested in the contrast between moments of labour and moments of rest, and how rare and meaningful unstructured time can be. These moments are shown as pauses, empty spaces, or shifts in mood that suggest relief, reflection, or freedom. They represent the human need to exist beyond constant responsibility. I use paint, colour, and composition to emphasise repetition and structure within work environments, while allowing freer marks and softer elements to appear in scenes of rest. This contrast mirrors the tension between obligation and personal time. Through my work, I hope viewers reflect on their own relationship with work and consider the value of rest as an essential part of being human.” Diarmuid Breen, 2026.

Born in Cork, Diarmuid graduated from the Dublin Institute of Technology BAVA, Sherkin Arts Programme in 2012. Since then he has exhibited regularly in Cork and Dublin. He is represented by Taylor Galleries in Dublin, McKenna Gallery in Omagh, Co. Tyrone and Blue House Gallery, Schull, County Cork. He has exhibited in the Boyle Arts Festival, RHA Annual exhibitions and was the inaugural winner of the Anita Young Award for a mid-career artist at the 191st RHA Annual Exhibition. He was also awarded the de Vere’s prize for an artwork of distinction at the 194th RHA Annual Exhibition. His painting The Avenue was purchased by the OPW in 2024 and is now part of their permanent collection.

The 2026 Lavit Gallery programme is kindly supported by Arts Grants from The Arts Council of Ireland and Cork City Council.

SUBMISSIONS

A submission is an approach to the gallery by an artist who wants us to consider exhibiting and/or stocking their work.

We are only open to receiving submissions by email. We will not accept submissions by post or take in-person submissions in the gallery or look at your artwork on a phone or laptop. We will ask that you email us.

Although we are open to receiving submissions from artists by email proposing their work, we do not have the capacity to respond to all the emails we receive and we are not obligated to do so. It is not possible for us to engage each time, providing feedback. If you have sent us an email about your work and it has not bounced back, we have seen it and it has been forwarded to our Director who has viewed its contents and filed it. If and when an artist’s work is of interest and suitable for stock or one of our exhibition formats that artist will be contacted and invited. All other artists will not receive a reply (this has not been sustainable). Persistent attempts by email or phone to receive a reply or feedback are not welcome.

If submitting your work by email please be clear as to your intentions and what you want for your work, preferably demonstrating some awareness of our remit, programming and how we operate. For example, are you proposing a solo show, work for stock or is it a general introduction to you and your work or an update to share a recent body of work for consideration for group exhibition opportunities?

You don’t have to be a member to exhibit in the gallery (a common misconception)

For more information aimed at artists please visit our Terms and Conditions section on our website (bottom of home page or link in bio)

For all email submissions please email our Gallery Director, Brian Mac Domhnaill at [email protected]

Image: Installation view of New Irish Art 2026. Photo credit: Jed Niezgoda

LAST DAY

NEW IRISH ART
Deinstall begins 4pm

The artists participating in the 2026 edition of New Irish Art are Collin Crotty, Róisín de Buitléar, Stephen Doyle, Gabhann Dunne, Vanessa Jones, Vera Klute RHA, Michael Quane RHA, Michael Kobuladze, Ailbhe Ní Bhriain, Bennie Reilly, John O’Reilly and Charles Tyrrell. Curated by Brian Mac Domhnaill.

As a not-for-profit arts organisation and registered charity Cork Arts Society, trading as Lavit Gallery, greatly appreciates the support of our colleagues running sales-based galleries in Dublin. Included in this exhibition are artists represented by private commercial galleries.

Image: Install view by Jed Niezgoda

.crotty

LAST TWO DAYS

NEW IRISH ART
Until this Saturday 26 September 2026. Deinstall begins 4pm

Thank you to all the invited artists who participated in this year's edition, which was very well received by our audience and the visual arts community nationwide. It is our intention that this exhibition is one that artists want to be featured in and also one that collectors keep a close eye on. We will build on the success of the first two eiditions in 2027, with an equally fantastic line-up.

The artists participating in the 2026 edition of New Irish Art are Collin Crotty, Róisín de Buitléar, Stephen Doyle, Gabhann Dunne, Vanessa Jones, Vera Klute RHA, Michael Quane RHA, Michael Kobuladze, Ailbhe Ní Bhriain, Bennie Reilly, John O’Reilly and Charles Tyrrell. Curated by Brian Mac Domhnaill.

As a not-for-profit arts organisation and registered charity Cork Arts Society, trading as Lavit Gallery, greatly appreciates the support of our colleagues running sales-based galleries in Dublin. Included in this exhibition are artists represented by private commercial galleries.

Image: Install view by Jed Niezgoda

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FEATURED ARTIST | Gabhann Dunne

Images
1: Red Breasted Flycatcher 1985, 2026, Oil on board, 10 x 15 cm, €550
2: Tanya’s Bog, 2025, Oil on board, 24 x 30 cm, €1200
3: Philadelphia Vireo 1985, 2026, Oil on board, 13 x 18 cm, €625
4: Heather in Bog, 2025, Oil on board, 30 x 40 cm, €1400
5: Scarlet Tanager 1985, 2026, Oil on board, 15 x 20 cm, SOLD

Dunne’s work is filled with paintings of topographical features, figures and animals emerging from a rich, opaque ground, suggestive of a parallel world to our own. A critique of humanity’s annexation of the natural world and our displacement of other species, Gabhann uses this landscape to explore these serious themes with humour and compassion.

Gabhann Dunne is an Irish artist. Dunne studied at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin and the Technological University Dublin. Dunne is a tutor at the Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin. He is a winner of the Taylor Trust Art Award, the Whyte’s Award for Painting, the ESB Award, and a joint winner, of the Craig Hennessy Award. His work is found in public and private collections nationally and internationally including The Arts Council of Ireland and the Office of Public Works. He has completed commissions for Facebook, Dublin; the Ark, Dublin, University College Cork and the University of Limerick. Dunne has also exhibited extensively, including solo exhibitions at Limerick Gallery of Art and the Lab, Dublin, and multiple group shows such as: the West Cork Arts Centre; the Highlanes, Drogheda; Glucksman Gallery, Cork, the Visual Centre for Contemporary Art, Carlow and the Zurich Portrait Awards at the National Gallery.

New Irish Art
Until 26 September 2026

All available works in the show can be viewed and purchased on our website via the link provided here and in bio: https://lavitgallery.com/exhibition/new-irish-art-2/