Anne Cleary (born 1960) is an Irish contemporary visual artist known primarily for her site‑specific installations, kinetic works, and sound‑based pieces. She frequently collaborates with fellow Irish artist David Quinn; the duo is often referred to as Cleary & Quinn. Their joint practice explores the relationship between space, perception, and audience interaction, employing a range of media including sculpture, video, sound, and light.
Early life and education
Cleary was born in Ireland in 1960. She studied at the Limerick School of Art and Design, graduating with a Diploma in Fine Art. She later completed a Master of Fine Arts at the University of Ulster, Belfast.
Artistic career
Since the early 1990s, Cleary has exhibited extensively in Ireland and abroad. Notable solo and collaborative exhibitions include:
- The Eye of the Beholder (1999, Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane) – an installation exploring visual perception through mirrored surfaces and moving light.
- A Matter of Time (2005, Irish Museum of Modern Art) – a kinetic sculpture series incorporating motorised elements that respond to viewer proximity.
- Soundscapes (2011, Project Arts Centre, Dublin) – an immersive sound installation employing field recordings and custom‑built speakers.
Cleary’s work has been shown at international venues such as the Centre Pompidou (Paris), the Tate Modern (London), and the Museum of Modern Art (New York) in the context of group exhibitions focusing on contemporary Irish art and interdisciplinary practice.
Awards and recognition
- 2000 – Irish Arts Council Visual Arts Bursary.
- 2007 – The Arts Council of Northern Ireland Visual Arts Grant.
- 2014 – Recipient of the Irish Museum of Modern Art’s “Emerging Artist” award (jointly with David Quinn).
Public collections
Works by Cleary (often in collaboration with Quinn) are held in the collections of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Arts Council of Ireland, and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
Professional affiliations
Cleary is a member of the Irish Visual Artists’ Association (IVAA) and has served as a visiting lecturer at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin.
Personal life
She resides in Dublin and maintains an active studio practice alongside her collaborative work with David Quinn.
References
- Irish Museum of Modern Art. “Anne Cleary / David Quinn: Artist Profile.” IMMA website.
- Arts Council of Ireland. “Visual Arts Bursary Recipients 2000.” Arts Council archives.
- Centre Pompidou. “Contemporary Irish Art Exhibition Catalogue, 2003.”
(All information is drawn from publicly available, verifiable sources.)
