Clíodhna and Hugh both join the Panel as visual art specialists, succeeding outgoing members Dr Declan Long and Catherine Marshall. Both Declan and Catherine served on the Advisory Panel for three years, from 2020 to 2022. The Trustees of the Golden Fleece Award are immensely grateful to both for their enthusiasm, dedication and expertise, and wish them well in their future endeavours.
Clíodhna Shaffrey is Director of Temple Bar Gallery + Studios, Dublin. She is part of the curatorial team for Ireland at Venice 2022, the national representation of Ireland at the 59th Venice Biennale, presenting Niamh O’Malley’s exhibition ‘Gather’. Clíodhna was previously Visual Arts Advisor to the Arts Council of Ireland, and Arts Officer with two local authorities in Ireland. She has worked extensively as an independent curator as well as implementing a diverse range of creative work across curation, policy, and arts planning.
Hugh Mulholland is Creative Director, Visual Arts at the MAC, Belfast, a position he has held since 2012. He was previously Director, the third space gallery, Belfast (2006-2012) and Director of Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast (1997-2006), and was founding Director of Context Gallery Derry (now CCA) (1992-1997). Mulholland has also worked as an independent curator and was Commissioner of Northern Ireland’s first presentation at the Venice Biennale in 2005 with a group exhibition titled ‘The Nature of Things’. He curated Northern Ireland’s exhibition at the following Biennale with a solo show of work by Willie Doherty. He was curator for Kilkenny Arts Festival in 2006 and 2007, as well as curating exhibitions internationally in Berlin, Istanbul and Italy.
The Golden Fleece Award Advisory Panel consists of five industry experts who review applications received for the Golden Fleece Award and make recommendations to the Trustees on how they feel the Award should be distributed in a given year. Clíodhna and Hugh join current members Angela O'Kelly (Chair), Roger Bennett, and Dr Audrey Whitty.
