Bronagh Lawson

Bronagh Lawson is an artist based in Belfast who has written a blog about the vibrant local contemporary visual arts scene for the last ten years. Previously starting as a participant then manager she ran cross-community cross border development programmes for 13 years.

Originally from Portaferry and Strangford she is a Fulbright scholar and graduate of Winchester Achool of Art.

Bronagh is a co-founder of the Hydrangea project a Belfast — a Chicago collaboration which uses contemporary art underpinned with art therapy to act as a healing mechanism. Her book 'Belfast City of Light: Looking and Listening to Belfast Come with Me' is based on her experience as a non-churchgoer attending every church in Belfast for a service during 2019.

Latest Stories

ARTS ROUND-UP: Women in the frame

There are a lot more male curators in Northern Ireland than women and this can influence programming decisions in galleries in weird ways and, as a result, women’s careers.

ARTS ROUND-UP: Joy blooms despite lockdown gloom

Last week I saw my first blooming daffodil in the wild, randomly at the side of a road, always a sign that nature is waking up.

ARTS ROUND-UP: Stunning works of non-verbal artist Declan Byrne speak to the soul

Every year, the Kilkenny Arts Centre KCAT hosts a retrospective exhibition focusing on the work of a long term studio artist. It has always been an unparalleled opportunity to really unpack and explore in detail the full spectrum and creative output of the exhibiting artist. In addition, an important part of the retrospectives has been to publish an artist's book of images, commissioned text and interviews. KCAT Studio artist Declan Byrne was scheduled for the next exhibition. This was originally due to take place in 2020 as a public event but due to Coid restrictions the exhibition has now been re-imagined for presentation online.

ARTS ROUND-UP: The McCooeys make a comeback

How do you change the trajectory your life has been going in for that of yourself or your future family? Where might we all have been with different ancestors?

ARTS ROUND-UP: Artist Alison gives the Mothers and Babies Homes architects both barrels

Art has the power to go straight to the heart of the matter. The determination and drive for some artists to develop and stick at their practice does not always pay off.

ARTS ROUND-UP: Great art doesn't need a feasibility study

When someone asks me, "What is the outcome of art?" I usually smile and ask, "how long do you have?"

ARTS ROUND-UP: Praying for a miracle - via Zoom

One thing that the pandemic has done is speed up the take-up of online arts activities. Some art forms are better than others at translating into the digital world.

ARTS ROUND-UP: Who gets to say you don't have the right to create art?

Who has the right to create? It’s not something you hear or read about often in the rights discussions that pervade society. Our equality legislation is a mechanism to deal with historical inequalities and many strides have been taken in this area, including the arts but what about the right to create?

ARTS ROUND-UP: Online performances to lift the lockdown blues

Knowing that many of us will be spending much more time indoors, I’ve put together a little round-up of some interesting content that’s easily accessible, interesting and has the ability to raise your spirits and feel like you are participating in artistic activity with a local focus.