Peter Monaghan is a visual artist based in Dublin. He graduated from NCAD and was also an art lecturer at the Dun Laoghaire College of Art. Following his first solo exhibition in Dublin in 2002, Peter has gone on to exhibit his work throughout Europe, the US and Asia.
Where did you spend lockdown?
At home in Dublin.
Did you have access to a studio during this time? if not, how did you continue to create work?
I did have access to the studio which is a ten minute walk away from my house. Bentley, my assistant was at home on the Covid payment so I could work on my own all day in the studio.
Did you experiment with any new materials or methodologies?
I did experiment somewhat but I really used the time to produce new work for the future. For years I have been coming from behind but Covid actually gave me the chance to get ahead of myself.
Given the limitations and restrictions of the last few months, did your art making process change at all? If so, do you think this will continue to change how you will make art going forward?
Hopefully I can build on putting series/collections of work together.
Did you have any projects during this time?
Early on my gallery in the States, Heather Gaudio Fine Art contacted me and said that they would be interested in giving me a solo show in the Autumn. It was a lovely offer and really provided me with something to aim for. There feeling was that Covid would blow over and everything will get back to normal. It was great positivity at the time because really it felt like falling off a cliff here with nothing to look forward to.
Do you have any upcoming projects?
Gormleys have also lined up a two person show in the Autumn so I’m working towards that too.
All photographs were provided by Peter Monaghan unless otherwise stated. To see more of Peter’s work visit his website and Instagram.