Mike O’Brien
Lives and works in Limerick, Ireland.
Irish (and Canadian citizen)
EDUCATION
2022 -2023
Postgraduate Certificate, Creative Arts Management, University of Galway, Result: 1:1
2006 – 2010
Bachelor of Arts Degree, Fine Art Sculpture & Combined Media,
TUS, Limerick School of Art and Design Campus, Result: 1:1
Degree Thesis: ‘Social Progress & Aesthetic Sacrifice in Art;
An investigation of recent social art, art criticism and the place of the aesthetic.’
2020
HarvardX: Buddhism Through Its Scriptures- HDS3221.3x
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024
Look Closer, The Peoples Museum of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
2017
Becoming No One, Perla National Gallery of Art, Prague, Czech Republic
2014
Touch Me, curated by Beth Fox, Divus Gallery, London
2013
Superstar, TomCat Street Festival Program, Limerick, Ireland
2012
Amorphous, curated by Nigel Rolf, Former Franciscans Church Space, Limerick Museum
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2017
Gloom, Live sound art performance (Mike O’Brien),
Paintings (Paddy O’Dwyer), Visual Projections (Niall Linton), Pharmacia, Limerick, Ireland
2014
Rat Hole, Wickham Street Studios Group Show, curated by Sean Guinan, Leamy House, Limerick, Ireland
2014
Irish Georgian Society Pop-Up Museum, National City of Culture Program, Rutland Street, Limerick, Ireland
2013
Irish Art Does Not Exist, Station Independent Gallery, New York
2013
Mondo Bizzaro, The Market Studios, Dublin, Ireland
2011
C; Inside, curated by Mary Conlon,
Hunt Museum, Limerick, Ireland
2010
Graduate Selection Show, Cork Contemporary Projects,
The Space, Cork, Ireland
2010
Table of Contents, curated by Alan Keane, Roisin Lewis & Peter Morgan, Limerick School of Art & Design Foyer Space, Limerick, Ireland
2009
Vacant, curated by Aideen Barry, Unit 2, Bedford Row, Limerick, Ireland
2009
Grey Cabinet, curated by Steve Maher, Beth Fox & Sarah Feehily,
Limerick School of Art & Design Gallery Space, Limerick, Ireland
PUBLIC PERFORMANCES
2017
Live sound art performance in response to paintings & video projection (Gloom Group Show)
2009
Playing The Radio, Public Sound Art Performance with live visitor engagement (Vacant Group Show)
2009
Smash Hit, Sound Art Performance, Limerick School of Art & Design,
Georges Quay Building, Limerick, Ireland
(Nigel Rolf 2-week residency in performance art with the University of Limerick)
2007
Mike TV, Socially Engaged Street Performance, Limerick, Ireland
2007
Mike TV (2), Unhinged Performance Night, Stage Performance,
Bakers Place, Limerick, Ireland, 2007
PROJECTS & PARTNERSHIPS
2024
Visual Artist for Climate for Change Limerick, Produced by Dance Limerick,
Funded by Creative Ireland (Creative Climate Action Spark Fund)
PUBLICATIONS
2016
Interview with Beth Fox featured in Umelec Magazine,
published in London, Prague & Berlin
2010
Original cover design (Drawing), for Issue 1 of ‘The Speculative Society’ zine, created by artist Steve Maher, launched in Ormston House Gallery,
Limerick, Ireland
RESIDENCIES
2017
Perla National Gallery of Art, 1 month live & work residency
with a public solo show, funded by the Irish Arts Council’s
Travel & Training Award (€1,200)
AWARDS & FUNDING
2017-2020
Artist’s Apartment (3-year residency), Johns Square ‘Living Cultural Quarter,
Awarded by Limerick City & County Council
2018
Trading Online Voucher (€2,500), Limerick Enterprise Office
2017
Travel & Training Award (€1,200), Irish Arts Council
WORKSHOPS
2024
Drawing with participants in response to dance & dialogue,
as part of Climate for Change Limerick, Produced by Dance Limerick,
Funded by Creative Ireland (Creative Climate Action Spark Fund)
2017
Sound Art workshops for children (Two sessions), Limerick City Gallery of Art
RELEVANT MEMBERSHIPS & INFO
- VAI (Visual Artists Ireland) Professional Member
- Artists Tax Exemption as an Irish Artist in category (d) a painting or other like picture based on artistic merit
- Native Irish citizen, with additional Canadian citizenship
COLLECTIONS
The Peoples Museum of Limerick Permanent Collection
STUDIO EXPERIENCE
2015-2020
Wickham Street Studios, Wickham Street, Limerick city centre, Ireland
2011-2014
Former Franciscans Friary Studio Space, Limerick Museum,
Limerick city centre, Ireland
2010
Co-founded Like Studios with artist Steve Maher, Ersons Lane,
Limerick, Ireland
RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
2016 – 2017
Gallery Assistant, Limerick City Gallery of Art
2023-2025
Marketing Executive, The Peoples Museum of Limerick