Cristín Leach

Art critic and cultural commentator

Cristín Leach is an art critic and cultural commentator, writing about art for The Sunday Times Ireland since 2003 and contributing to RTÉ TV, radio, and digital since 1998. She co-presented the award-winning RTÉ Lyric FM series Through the Canvas …

Entirely hollow aside from the dark: AlanJames Burns at Kesh Caves, Sligo. Photo: Trevor Whelan

Bringing cave art into the modern age - artist AlanJames Burns

Normally associated with pre-historic paintings of bison and hand prints, the term 'cave art' is taking on a new meaning this summer as artist AlanJames Burns embarks on a national tour of a new audio artwork to be exhibited in five caves across Ireland.

visual arts • 18 Jul 17

Aideen Barry - Spray Grenade (SG09/3#01), 2009, Aluminium, Brass, Steel

21st Century Ireland in 21 Artworks: Weapons of Mass Consumption

In a new series of articles, critic and broadcaster Cristín Leach selects 21 artworks for RTÉ Culture that define Modern Ireland.

visual arts • 14 Jul 17

The Space Between - new work from artist and healer Chris Doris

Mayo-based Chris Doris is an artist who has not exhibited often in recent years, concentrating instead on professional training in Psychotherapy. For those who have been waiting, his current flurry of activity is worth the pilgrimage.

visual arts • 10 Jul 17

Detail from Gary Coyle's The Penitent (2014)

21st Century Ireland in 21 Artworks: The Penitent

In a new series of articles, critic and broadcaster Cristín Leach selects 21 artworks for RTÉ Culture that define Modern Ireland. This week: Gary Coyle's The Penitent (2014)

visual arts • 14 Jul 17

21st Century Ireland in 21 Artworks: The Claddagh Embrace

In a new series of articles, critic and broadcaster Cristín Leach selects 21 artworks for RTÉ Culture that define Modern Ireland. This week: Joe Caslin's The Claddagh Embrace.

visual arts • 28 Jun 17

Cork Midsummer Festival art preview - nuthin' but a Lee thing

CristÍn Leach previews a quartet of must-see art events at this weekend's Cork Midsummer Festival.

visual arts • 21 Jun 17

Pictured: Vivienne Dick, Lydia Lunch, Production still from Guérrillere Talks, 1978, Super 8/Video © Vivienne Dick.

Vivienne Dick at IMMA - stardust memories from a No Wave icon

"It's the first time that Nan and I have shown work together and we've often talked about it," said Irish film-artist Vivienne Dick in advance of her major exhibition opening at the Irish Museum of Modern Art.

visual arts • 16 Jun 17

Nan Goldin, 'Gerald with bloody hand' - an image from her new show at IMMA.

Nan Goldin at IMMA - there will be blood

Nan Goldin takes frequently explicit, occasionally disturbing, always visceral photographs - Sweet Blood Call, her new show at IMMA, will feature never before shown photographs taken by Goldin in Ireland in 1979 and 2002.

visual arts • 14 Jun 17

Detail from Settlement (2011), by Anthony Haughey

21st Century Ireland in 21 Artworks: Settlement

Anthony Haughey's photographs of half-finished houses and abandoned residential building-sites have a near-supernatural, spiritual glow about them.

visual arts • 08 Jun 17

Still from Remains (2013), by Willie Doherty

21st Century Ireland in 21 Artworks: Remains

In a new series of articles, critic and broadcaster Cristín Leach selects 21 artworks for RTÉ Culture that define Modern Ireland. This week: Remains by Willie Doherty (2013)

visual arts • 31 May 17