Photos credit: Ros Kavanagh, courtesy Butler Gallery.
Butler Gallery, in association with Kilkenny Arts Festival, was delighted to present a building- wide exhibition honouring the work of the late Tony O’Malley (1913-2003) and Jane O’Malley (1944-2023). This expansive exhibition marks the receipt of the bequest of both artists’ estates by Jane O’Malley to Butler Gallery where the artists had a long association.
The Shared Studio is an exhibition that provides an insight into the lives of Tony and Jane, and the studio life they shared in different locations for many decades: St Ives in Cornwall where they first met, to travels to the Bahamas and Lanzarote, and primarily their beloved home studio in County Kilkenny which functioned as a space of mutual encouragement, emotional support, and creative exchange.
Mediuns
The exhibition highlights work of different mediums and thematic approaches made over many decades. Studio materials are reconstructed for display: worktables of both artists untouched since their deaths, a loom with a half-finished tapestry by Jane. Memento boxes incorporate selected sections of the artists personally self-curated shelves and an interactive virtual tour of their studio was launched, showing all corners of the spaces where their mutual work was realised.
Tony O’Malley holds an important and distinguished position in the history of twentieth century Irish art. A highly respected and beloved artist, his works are held in all major Irish museums and included in the most significant public and private collections of Irish art. Jane O’Malley showed widely in the UK and Ireland with many solo exhibitions at Taylor Galleries Dublin, the gallery that represented both artists during their lifetime. Her works are held in private collections in Ireland, America and Europe and feature in many public collections.
This exhibition traces Tony and Jane’s journey across time and place and offers a rich overview of both their individual artistic practice and their creative partnership revealing the profound influence their loving companionship had on their working lives together.
Major support provided by Brian Baum in loving memory of Úna Wilson.
Learning & Public Engagement Events
A panel discussion with Catherine Marshall, Sarah Stoten, Jonathan O’Grady and Anna O’Sullivan was recorded as part of the exhibition ‘Tony & Jane O’Malley: The Shared Studio’ (08.08.26-26.10.26) at Butler Gallery, in association with Kilkenny Arts Festival 2026, on Tuesday 11th August at the Parade Tower of Kilkenny Castle.
Panel: Catherine Marshall, art historian, writer, curator, founding Head of Collections at the Irish Museum of Modern Art; curator of Na Cailleacha Art Collective. Sarah Stoten, former Director of The Stour Gallery, Warwickshire, UK. Jonathan O’Grady, MPhil History of Art and Architecture, Trinity College. Anna O’Sullivan, Director, Chief Curator, Butler
While some of the programme has already been held, there are some fantastic dates remaining.
Thursday 24th September
6.00pm – 7.00pm – O’Malley Talk Series with with Annie Collins and Johnny O’Grady – Memories Through Landscape and Dwelling.
Saturday 26th September
10:30 – 4:30pm – Tapestry Weaving with Terry Dunne.
Sunday 11th October
11:00 – 1:00pm – Children’s Weaving Workshop with Sandra McAllister.
Friday 25th September – 16th October
10.30am – 2.30pm – Creative Spaces | The Shared Studio – 4 Week Course.
Full details of booking can be found at The Butler Gallery or by visiting the venue.
