TU Dublin Art & Design Graduate Sorcha Browning Wins Top Prize at 2024 RDS Visual Art Awards
TU Dublin is thrilled to celebrate the incredible success of BA Visual Art (Sherkin Island) graduate Sorcha Browning, who has claimed two prestigious awards at the 2024 RDS Visual Art Awards, held on Friday, November 22, at the RHA Gallery, Dublin. The BA in Visual Art (Sherkin Island) programme is a four-year degree delivered by the School of Art and Design at TU Dublin in partnership with Sherkin Island Development Society, supported by Cork County Council. The course, delivered on Sherkin Island, focuses on investigating the meaning of place, how it can be generated and regenerated through art-making, and the exchange between the artmaker, their place, and its people.
Sorcha was awarded the coveted RDS Taylor Art Award, which includes a €10,000 cash prize, and the RDS Graphic Studio Dublin Emerging Visual Artist Award, a two-week residency valued at €5,000. These awards recognise Sorcha’s exceptional talent and mark her as one of Ireland’s most promising emerging visual artists.
About the Winning Work – Eden
Sorcha’s installation, Eden, is a captivating 9-minute looped film displayed on two sculptural screens. The work delves into themes of digital performativity, cookie collection, and the gaze. Drawing parallels with representational painting, Eden captures the simultaneous performances of its characters, each confined by the digital constructs of their world. Through sound, gesture, and symbolic visual elements, the piece highlights the limitations of these spaces and the cyclical performativity of its inhabitants.
Sorcha's installation, Eden, at Uilllinn, West Cork Arts Centre
The 2024 RDS Visual Art Awards judging panel praised Sorcha’s practice, stating:
"Her work operates on so many levels. It is original, accomplished, and culturally nuanced. Sorcha’s work is performative, fun, and otherworldly, making her a great asset to the Irish art scene."
RDS Taylor Art Award
The RDS Taylor Art Award, Ireland’s longest-standing visual art prize, has recognised artistic excellence since 1860. Sorcha joins the ranks of esteemed past winners, including William Orpen, Mainie Jellett, and Dorothy Cross.
RDS Graphic Studio Dublin Emerging Visual Artist Award
This award provides a two-week residency with a Master Printer at Graphic Studio Dublin, enabling Sorcha to explore printmaking as part of her artistic practice. Her prints will be showcased at the studio’s bi-annual Visiting Artist Exhibition alongside other leading artists.
Congratulations to Sorcha Browning on this outstanding achievement. TU Dublin is proud to celebrate her success and looks forward to seeing her continued contributions to the Irish and international art scenes.
Exhibition Details
The 2024 RDS Visual Art Awards exhibition will take place at the RHA Gallery Dublin from November 22 and will open Tuesdays to Sundays from 11.00am-5.00pm on Wednesdays from 11.00 am–6.30pm. There will also be exhibition tours and talks led by curator Colin Martin. Bookings for these will open from next week. For further info, check www.rds.ie/visualart.