‘Decriminalisation Through the GCN Archive’
An exploration into the coverage of the events leading up to the passing of the Sexual Offences Bill 1993 as reported in GCN (Gay Community News) between 1988 and 1993.
This paper was presented as part of the 'Decriminalization at 30' conference at Trinity College, Dublin, on June 8, 2023.
The accompanying slide presentation can be viewed here.
***Content warning: This presentation references sexual assault and violence.***
‘Foul, Filthy, Stinking Muck’: The LGBT Theatre of Project Arts Centre, 1966 - 2000
MFA thesis on the history of LGBT theatre in Project Arts Centre from 1966 to 2000.
The thesis outlines the researched plays and situates them alongside the Irish LGBT activist movement of the 70s, 80s and 90s. It also looks at the model of Project and by drawing on the practices of other Dublin based theatres, considers how Project’s practice differed, enabling them to showcase works that dealt more overtly with LGBT issues. Lastly it highlights notable contemporary theatre works that have addressed LGBTQ issues and demonstrates how Project continues to play a role in disseminating LGBTQ works.
Published May 2019
A Reading of Donna Haraway’s Tentacular Thinking
Essay overviewing Donna Haraway’s theoretical text,Tentacular Thinking: Anthropocene, Capitalocene, Chthulucene. The essay provides an outline of Haraway’s theory, her historical grounding, the key points addressed within the text and an overall analysis.
Published June 2018
Censorship Of the body
Essay looking at the role of censorship upon the body. It considers issues around governmental control of women’s bodies through abortion, the corporate control through oral contraceptives, social media censorship and ultimately, the resultant personal censoring. (*Point of reference: this essay was published in 2018, prior to the Irish referendum to legalise abortion) .
Published May 2018
Deconstructing Normal
Essay considering the power structures created by the term ‘normal’. It explores notions of hierarchy, control, masking, rebellion, awkwardness and self-identity.
Published February 2018
Weekends were made for this: a review of Nan Goldin’s, Weekend Plans
Review of Nan Goldin’s 2017 exhibition at IMMA.
A candid and somewhat personal review of Nan Goldin’s Weekend Plans. The exhibition featured works from The Ballad of Sexual Dependency; a book that I have a strong affinity towards and have studied for over twenty years.
Published January 2018
The Body as a Subject in Photography: Depicting Sexuality; Von Gloeden, Mapplethorpe and Opie
Essay exploring the use of the body to express homosexuality in photography.
Specifically focusing on the works of; Wilhem Von Gloeden, Untitled, c.1900; Robert Mapplethorpe, Self Portrait (with Bull Whip), 1978; and Catherine Opie, Self Portrait/Cutting, 1993. This essay analyses three of the artists images to articulate how the body is manipulated to narrate sexuality and desire.
*** Contains graphic imagery***
Published January 2015