Chester Beatty

Speaker: Dr. Bryan C. Keene, Associate Professor, Riverside City College, Riverside, USA

Premodern art and manuscript cultures allow us to glimpse ideas about the body, human coupling, and the many forms of desire and intimacy. Today’s understandings of gender and sexuality find points of continuity in these histories as well as moments of striking difference. Focusing on manuscripts in the collections of the Chester Beatty, this talk moves across European, Islamic, and South Asian contexts to consider how images of devotion, companionship, and the body open up q***r and trans readings today. The talk attends to how manuscripts hold space for ambiguity and a spectrum of relationships. Join us in reflecting on the possibilities and limits of q***ring historical material, and how this framing shapes the kinds of pasts that become visible.

This online talk has been organised to mark Dublin Pride 2026.

🎟️FREE. Please register for online viewing via Zoom here: https://ow.ly/M1hK50Zb747

About the Speaker: Dr. Bryan C. Keene (they/elle/iel) is a professor of art history and theatre at Riverside City College. They are an award-winning educator and curator who developed fifteen exhibitions in their previous work at the Getty Museum and have authored or edited eight books and written over fifty articles. Their current project foregrounds q***r and trans contemporary artists who have drawn inspiration from medieval and Renaissance art. They serve on the board of directors for the Americas Research Network (ARENET) in Mexico City and have held leadership positions with various professional organizations. They hold a PhD from The Courtauld Institute of Art.

Searching for the perfect Father's Day gift? Give the gift of new experiences with a Chester Beatty membership ❤️

As a Friend of the Chester Beatty, your loved one gets access to:

🗣️ exclusive in person and online talks
🚶 fascinating cultural excursions
📚 book clubs, workshops and special tours
📜 first-look exhibition previews
🛍️ a 10% gift shop discount
🎟️ tickets to the Chester Beatty Annual Lecture

And all in the company of like-minded history and culture lovers ❤️Membership starts at just €65 - link in bio or look for 'Membership + Support' on our website. They'll get a gift code to redeem and you'll have given them even more ways to explore the things they love 🎁

Did you know that right now you can see objects from the Chester Beatty on display in Japan?

Tokyo National Museum's special exhibition A Treasure Trove from Ireland: Japanese Picture Scrolls and Books from the Chester Beatty Collection was officially opened by Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado on 27 April, and runs until 20 July. Treasures on display include:

✨ Scroll 1 from a beautifully illuminated late 17th century Tale of Genji, one of the foundational works of Japanese literature
📜 The Song of Everlasting Sorrow, a famous tragic love story elaborately rendered on silk
⚔️ Scroll 2 from The Tale of Musashibō Benkei, the legendary warrior-monk
😈 Scroll 3 from The Tale of Shutendōji, a huge red demon whose defeat was chosen as an icon of the exhibition

Have you seen these picture-scrolls on display in Dublin or Tokyo? ✨

The Chester Beatty was represented at the launch by Director Dr Fionnuala Croke and Head of Collections Dr Rosamund Garrett, who wish to thank the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport for their support. The Irish Ambassador to Japan, Damien Cole, joined the Director in taking part in the exhibition's opening ceremony.



Images © Tokyo National Museum

📚Just one week left to visit Manuscripts & The Mind: How we read & respond to the written word.

✨Drop by to make a stamp or write on our book notes wall!

Learn more about the exhibition here: https://chesterbeatty.ie/exhibitions/manuscripts-and-the-mind/

Qigong is a traditional Chinese form of meditation coordinating slow flowing movement, deep rhythmic breathing and a calm state of mind. Join us for a gentle practice outdoors (weather permitting) or indoors with a view of the roof garden.

🎟️FREE, no booking required. Suitable for all ages. Limited to 20 participants.

Joyce’s Ulysses is one of Ireland’s most important works of literature. Set right here, in the heart of Dublin, it describes one day in the city from the perspectives of many Dubliners. More than one hundred years later, many of the streets and sights described in the novel are still around today – see if you can spot them! Join this relaxed family session, and decorate your own 1900’s map of Dublin, highlighting the places you frequent and activities you take part in, as though you and your family are walking through the novel yourselves!

Limited to 15 participants at one time. 🎟️FREE, no booking required. Please note: children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Тур знайомить із трьома релігійно-філософськими традиціями Китаю — конфуціанством, даосизмом та буддизмом. Ми розглянемо сувої із зображеннями безсмертних божеств та сценами міських свят, поговоримо про енциклопедію, створену китайським імператором, а також побачимо витончені пляшечки для нюхального тютюну і розкішне жовте шовкове імператорське вбрання із зображенням дракона. Ці артефакти дають можливість простежити, як у китайській культурі поєднувалися уявлення про безсмертя, гармонію, красу та імператорську владу.

🎟️попереднє бронювання: https://ow.ly/9GIM50Z4jBX

Learn drawing techniques inspired by our Western, Eastern and Islamic collections. These creative, relaxed sessions with Irish-Iranian artist Roxana Manouchehri are open to teens and adults of all abilities. This workshop will focus on page composition.

🎟️FREE, no booking required, available for the first 20 participants.