C.V / Biography:
​
Ann Carragher - born in Newry, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. Graduated in 1995 from the University of Ulster with a B.A (Hons) in Combined Studies in Art & Design and again in 1997 with an MA in Fine & Applied Art. After completing her MA, she obtained an Artist in Residence position at the Hangzhou Academy of Fine Art, in the People's Republic of China, 1997 - 1998, supported by the University of Ulster and the British Council. In 1998-1999 she resided in Galway where she was a member of Art Space Studios.
 
Currently an associate lecturer and practice-based PhD candidate at Manchester School of Art, MMU. Her research project is titled 'Landscape, Liminality, Lament’ and is an exploration of ‘The Gap of The North’, a specific area of border territory between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. She is also a member of Abingdon Studios, Blackpool. and a founding member of the Proximity Collective, established in 2019 (see film by Anya Stewart Maggs - https://vimeo.com/396138262).

News - Recent /Up and Coming
  • The Whitaker Museum & Gallery, exhibition & commission (June 2025)​
  • 'Fragments of Devotion: Relics, Liminality and the Rituals of Memory'. Memento Mori Ritual Objects & Acts of Devotion, Dark Arts Research Kollective, April 2025.
  • Maps (Centre for Migration and Postcolonial Studies), Reading 'Legacy', Creative-Critical Symposium, MMU Dec 2024
  • Contribution to Routledge publication 'Liminality, Transgression and Space across the World: Living and Becoming(s) Against, Across and with Borders and Boundaries' edited by Basak Tanulku & Simone Pekelsma, published March 2024. Liminality, Transgression and Space Across the World: Being, Living an
  • Practice-based Methodologies - An in 'Proximity' Anthology (Proximity Collective supported by M.U.P. 2024/25)

Exhibitions
  • 06.2025 The Whitaker Museum & Gallery, exhibition & commission, June 2025 (up coming)
  • 11.2024 'Dúbailt-Doubling', Manchester Contemporary with ABS.
  • 07.2024 The Stone Project, 'Idir na clocha agus na réaltaí - Between the Stones and the Stars.' Glossop Weekender, July 2024.
  • 11.2023 'Bataí agus Clocha' series, represented by ABS Project Space, The Manchester Contemporary.
  • 11.2023 'At Waters Edge', Group Exhibition, ABS, Blackpool.
  • 04.2023 Proximity Group Exhibition/research residency, Bloc Studios, Sheffield
  • 11.2022 Na Feá - The Fews Series, 2022/23, represented by ABS Project Space, The Manchester Contemporary, 
  • ​05.2022 Proximity Group Exhibition - Post Residency at Rogue Artists Studios CIC, Manchester. 
  • 11. 2021 Flocked Rock series 2021, The Manchester Contemporary, Manchester Central, represented by Abingdon Studios.
  • 09.2021 Collaborative exhibition with Proximity Collective, supported by Abingdon Studios (2021).
  • 05.2021 The Hexting Project (film essay), ‘Art and Practice Climate Event’, Chrysalis Arts. 
  • 04.2020 The Hexting Essays, Online Project (online exhibition - visual essay), curated by Sam Pickett.
  • 04.2020 Squeeze It, contributed to a curated collaborative online project and wordless critique.
  • 07.2020 ‘The Absurd Consequences of Walking in the Time of Covid’, Collaborative film by NSU Circle 7, July 2020.
  • 11.2019 Proximity Collective - works presented in Vitrine, Righton Building, MMU, Manchester
  • 12.2019 Paradise Works, Proximity Collective, Group Exhibition
  • O6.2019 Group Exhibition- Sidney Nolan Trust, Wales
  • 06.2019 ‘Inventory of Behaviours’ (contribution to project), Tate Exchange, London.
  • 01.2019 'Footnotes' in collaboration with Joe Doubtfire, Abingdon Studios.
  • 06.2018 'Thresholds' Gonzo Unit, Thessaloniki, Greece.
  • 03.2018 'Something or Nothing', selected group exhibition, Abingdon Studios.
  • 02.2018 'Nomad', Collective Collaborations/ Curated Place, Spectra Light Festival, Aberdeen.
  • 11.2017 'Nomad', Collective Collaborations/ Curated Place, Abingdon Studios.
  • 10.2017 'Nomad', Collective Collaborations/ Curated Place, Enlighten Bury Festival of Light.
  • 10.2017 'Encounters', One Foot in The Cradle, MILK, House of Blah Blah, Middlesbrough.
  • 04.2017 'Something Black', Cultivate, London
  • 03.2017 'Encounters' (in collaboration with Garth Gratrix) ICW, Blackpool.
  • 02.2017 'All Our Laments', Grundy Art Gallery, Group Exhibition, Blackpool.
  • 12.2016  Abingdon Open Studio, Blackpool.
  • 11.2016  Research into Practice Exhibition, Blackpool University Centre.
  • 03.2016 ‘Be The Banana Skin (On the Patriarchy’s Complacent Stroll)’, Blott Gallery.
  • 01.2016 'Where For Art Thou Starr Grass', School of Creative Arts, Blackpool
  • 12.2015 'Test:Bed', ArtCOP21 (Lead Curator and Project Organiser)
  • 10.2015 'Art Carbooty', co-produced by Wewiora projects and Squirrel and Tiffin, Winter Gardens, Blackpool.
  • 08.2015 Destroy Blackpool, Supercollider.
  • 04.2015 Soft Launch, Abingdon Street Studios, Blackpool, Lancashire
  • 10.2014 Diorama – Hidden Theatre’s project, University Centre, Blackpool.
  • 09.2013 Undressing Identity Exhibition/Symposium, Uni Centre, Blackpool.
  • 05.2013 Agoraphobia: The Spaces Within, University Centre, Blackpool.
  • 11.2011  Dimensions of Spirit, Group Show, ETE Symposium, York
  • 11.2010 Doppelganger, Group Show, Blackpool School of Art.
  • 12.2010 Postcards from Blackpool; Contemporary Vanitas’ Collaborative project with Nick Kowalski, Blackpool Culture Shop Project
  • 07.2009 Hypodouche, Hebden Bridge Fringe Festival.
  • 05.2008 Timescapes, BADept Studios.
  • 03.2008 Archaeo.repro, Blackpool Vistas Symposium.
  • 2003 Blott Group Exhibition, Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool
  • 2002 Blott Studios 
  • 1999 Solo Exhibition 'Hypodouche', Clotworthy House, Antrim Castle Gardens.

Residencies / Workshops
  • 'Walking, Chatting Mapping' workshop, Pride & Place Project, Fleetwood, supported by UKSPF & Wyre Council, Sept-Nov 2024
  • 'Walking, Chatting Mapping' workshop, for the Heritage Action Zone, supported by Aunty Social, Aug 2023
  • Proximity Collective Research residency, Bloc Studios, Sheffield, April 2023
  • Proximity Collective Residency at Rogue Artists Studios CIC, Manchester. April/May 2022
  • Digital Residency University of Cumbria, titled ‘Hospitality’. May 2021 
  • 'Digital Residency' with Proximity Collective, at School of Art, MMU (PAHC), March 2021
  • 'Proximity Collective' series of short residencies at Venture Arts, Islington Mill & Paradise Works 2019
  • 'Artists' Camp' - collaborative skill sharing residency, Sidney Nolan Trust, Wales 2019, supported by NWCDTP and MMU/ PAHC).
  • ‘AA2A’, Scheme, UCLAN, Preston 2003
  • ‘Circus’, Haweside Primary School, Blackpool 2003
  • Art Co-op, Lancashire Museum Services, Preston Museum, 2002
  • Art Co-op, Fleetwood, 2001.
  • St. Aidan's Technology College, Preesall, Lancashire, June 2000
  • The China National Academy of Fine Art’, Hangzhou, The Peoples Republic of China (Supported by The British Council and the University of Ulster) 1997/8.

​Research/Conferences/ Symposiums and Artists Talks
  • 'Fragments of Devotion: Relics, Liminality and the Rituals of Memory'. Memento Mori Ritual Objects & Acts of Devotion, Dark Arts Research Kollective, April 2025.
  • Maps (Centre for Migration and Postcolonial Studies), Reading 'Legacy', Creative-Critical Symposium, MMU Dec 2024
  • The Stone Project, Guest Speaker - 'Ancient Pathways: Navigating the Liminal Landscapes of Neolithic Structures', Glossop Weekender, supported by MMU, PACH. July 2024
  • Transcending Boundaries, Lancaster University History Conference, June 2024
  • Royal Geographical Society, London, Aug 2024 Panel discussion concerning publication 'Liminality, Transgression and Space across the World'.
  • 'On Not Knowing: How Artists Teach' Conference (Paper by Proximity Collective), Glasgow School of Art, June 2023.
  • Proximity Group Exhibition/research residency, Bloc Studios, Sheffield, April 2023.
  • Artist Talk with Karst Contemporary Arts, Plymouth, June 2022
  • Proximity Collective (Artists Group Talk) University of Derby, April 2022
  • Landscape, Liminality, Lament (research paper), Borders and Borderlands Conference, London Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, 3rd April 2022
  • ‘Unsteady States: Occlusion, Insecure Ground & Irregular Activity’ (research paper) Breaking Boundaries: Reimagining Borders in Postcolonial and Migrant Studies, MAPS, MMU (2021)
  • A-N, Digital Assembly, ‘Collaborative Practices and Conviviality’ (Proximity Collaborative paper), The Coast is Queer, Abingdon Street Studios (2021);
  • University of Cumbria -  ARI (Artist Research Initiative), Hospitality Project, ‘Ann Carragher, Patti Lean and Brigid Kennedy’ in conversation, (2021)
  • IJADE Conference, Hybrid Spaces, Re-imagining Pedagogy, Practice and Research short collaborative paper ‘Hybridity & Digital Intimacy’ (2021);
  • ‘Meanwhile’ Artists Talks' series, supported by Leftcoast, The Grundy Gallery, Abingdon Studios and Blackpool & Fylde University Centre. July 2020
  • 'Super VUCA Subjectivities and the Manifest-No', Proximity Collective group presentation, Arts and Performance Research Hub Round Table Event: “What does research look like in lockdown and after?” July 2020
  • ‘Disorientations’, (research paper) Performing Heterotopia Winter Symposium, NSU, University of Wroclaw, Poland, March 2020.
  • 'Roots & Reach’ Poster and film screening, PGR Conference, MMU, March 2020
  • 'Re: Connected' (research paper) Research Symposium, B&FC, April 2018
  • 'Ich und Du' (paper) Catalyst Conference, Spectra Light Festival, Aberdeen Feb 2017
  • 'CMIT', ASLE-UKI, LAND2, (paper) Conference, University of Sheffield, Sept 2017. 
  • 'Subject of Study: Collaboration in Research and Artistic Practice', Common Ground- with Anthony Luvera, University of Manchester, Nov 2016. 
  • Annual Scholarship Symposium, B&FC, 2015.
  • 'Through a Glass Darkly': Test:bed at Abingdon Street Studios Blackpool, Symposium and Exhibition regarding Art & Environment, Abingdon Studios (in association with ARTCOP21 Paris) Nov 2015. Symposium organiser and curator.
  • ‘Art & Geopolitics’, 'Landscape, Liminality, Lament' (research paper), MMU, The Corner House, Manchester Nov 2015.
  • 'Diorama – Hidden Theatres’ project Oct/Nov 2014
  • ‘Undressing Identity’ Symposium, B&FC, Sept 2013
  • 'Agoraphobia: The Spaces Within’ Symposium May 2013
  • 'Landscape, Liminality, Lament' (research paper) - Affective Landscape Conference, University of Derby, May 2012
  • ETE - Dimensions of Spirit Conference, ‘Doppelgangers, Doubles & Fetches’; Psychological states of mind, York, Sept 2011
  • 'Hauntology, Memory & Place', Northern Irish Contemporary Visual Art, Blackpool & The Fylde College 2010 (research –Arles)
  • 'Archaeo.Repro' - Lament for Lost Power, Blackpool Vista Symposium, 2008

Publications / Writing 
  • Drafting - Anthology of Methodologies by Proximity Collective, MUP.
  • Chapter 'Landscape, Liminality, Lament' in Routledge publication titled 'Liminality, Transgression and Space Across the World' edited by Basak Tanulku & Simone Pekelsma, published March 2024.   
  • Reflective text - Craig Fishers 'Flat Land', Abingdon Studios, Blackpool 2022. Craig Fishers ‘Flat Space’ Abingdon Studios. Article by Ann Carragher 2022 
  • 'Hexting' Project, Book Art Project, 2020         
  • ‘Diorama; Hidden Theatres’ publication 2014
  • ‘Agoraphobia; The Spaces Within’, Catalogue 2013
  • Blackpool Culture Shops, Book Publication, FYC/Arts Council England 2012/13

Funding/ Awards
  • Recipient of Arts Council England, DYCP Research & Development funding 2023/24.
  • ABS members Project Bursary for 'Fragments, Relics and Prophecy', National Lottery Project Grant Funding, Arts Council England. 2022
  • ACE Collaborative Funding 2020 (awarded by Abingdon Studios) 2021.
  • Artist Camps - Collaborative skill sharing residency, Sidney Nolan Trust, Wales, supported by the NWCDTP & MMU.  ​
  • Extended Study Programme, B&FC, PhD Funding 2018
  • Trans-Express Funding, LeftCoast, 2016
  • ACE 'Go See', Abingdon Street Studios, 2016
  • Future Express, LeftCoast Research and Development funding, 2015
  • MA Exchange programme with Hangzhou Academy China, in association with UUB and British Council 1997
  • MA Fine & Applied Art, UUB (ESF Funded). 1995/97

Collectives
  • Coastal Co-operative, 2022 (Blackpool & the Fylde Coast)
  • Member of Proximity Collective - established 2019. 'An enquiry into the spatial and social elements of practice as research' –film by Anya Stewart Maggs - https://vimeo.com/396138262