Ireland unveils Dreamshook
Ireland has unveiled Isabel Nolan’s 'Dreamshook' as its Venice Biennale entry—an immersive installation scheduled to open May 9 and run through Nov. 21 that explores the sensation of waking from a dream (rte.ie). The announcement arrives amid a politically charged Biennale season, where censorship and outside-the-pavilion interventions are already reshaping the conversation ( ).
The Irish Pavilion for Nolan’s commission will be sited in the Arsenale sector of the Biennale complex. (ebs.publicnow.com)) The project team named on the official Ireland at Venice listing includes curator Georgina Jackson, producer Cian O’Brien, assistant curator Niamh Darling and coordinator Rachel McIntyre working with The Douglas Hyde Gallery. (irelandatvenice2026.ie)) Culture Ireland and The Arts Council commissioned the presentation and launched Ireland’s Venice programme at the Douglas Hyde Gallery in Trinity College Dublin, with a ministerial statement from Patrick O’Donovan on the selection. (gov.ie)) Irish organisers say the Venice presentation will be followed by a national tour of the commissioned work across Ireland in 2027. (rte.ie)) The pavilion will enter a Biennale edition framed by the international curatorial theme "In Minor Keys," a programme direction attributed to curator Koyo Kouoh. (ebs.publicnow.com)) Nolan’s announcement comes as the Biennale season has seen high‑profile interventions: South African artist Gabrielle Goliath’s cancelled national pavilion will nonetheless be shown off‑site at Chiesa di Sant’Antonin in Castello as a three‑month presentation beginning in early May. (artnews.com))
