Isabel Nolan to Represent Ireland at 61st Venice Biennale with 'Dreamshook'

Isabel Nolan has been commissioned to present Dreamshook for the Irish Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2026. The installation will comprise new works across tapestry, drawing, and sculpture, developed through the support of Culture Ireland and The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, and presented by The Douglas Hyde Gallery of Contemporary Art, Trinity College Dublin.

Nolan's Dreamshook will explore the conceptual framework of thresholds and dream states, engaging with narratives that span historical periods from the Middle Ages and early Renaissance to contemporary perspectives. The work will draw on diverse cultural and intellectual histories, including Classicism, Christianity, and Humanism, referencing both Italian painting and architecture and Irish heritage such as the Book of Kells.

The installation also considers the evolution of literacy and art through specific examples like Goya's aquatints, weaving together themes from Judaeo-Christian and Western art histories with mythology and literature. Nolan's practice frequently examines the tangible and intangible aspects of human experience, translating complex ideas into material forms, including hand-tufted tapestry.