CV

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

2023-2024
Marketing Manager, The Peoples Museum of Limerick