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Generation 20

Generation 20 is a photo and interview series in collaboration with Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture that focuses on the new wave of artists in Galway. With each interview and portrait, we aim to uncover their motivations, aspirations and frustrations. To get the full authentic picture and find their common link, bring them all together and into the light. How does their journey relate to Galway and where would they like to see it in 2020? We want to see the people in the budding stages of their expression, those that are quietly grafting and doing wonderful things.

Open, bold and colourful, this is #generation20. 

Find them all in full on galway2020.ie

  • Cat Turner
    Cat Turner is an electronic alternative pop music artist, who creates most of her music from her house. She talks about the importance of not getting lost in other people’s perceptions, being authentic, and how social media influences her music. Her keywords are angsty, aesthetic and fun. Read more here.
  • Mairead Dewar
    Nineteen-year-old Mairead is a circus performer, film-maker and language student. She talks of her love for theatre, how invaluable circus can be for mental health and how there are scarier things in life than walking on a tightwire in front of hundreds of people. Read more here.
  • Jarlath Tivnan
    Jarlath is a playwright and actor originally from Roscommon, living and creating in Galway for the last ten years. He spoke to us about how rural Ireland and sense of community shaped his worldview and his love for raw, ordinary people. Read more here.
  • Caitríona Ní Chadhain
    Caitríona is a producer and director from Indreabhán, Connemara. She spoke to me about how the vast, rugged land can naturally make you a philosopher, her love for minority languages and the need for more positive news in the world. In her work, she captures the innate Irish humour and the feeling that no one is really a stranger. Read the full piece here.
  • Lakshika Serasinhe
    Meet Lakshika Serasinhe of Lakshika Films. I love his cinematography style, it's a world I can get lost in. We shared an afternoon in Silver Strand with a glorious sunset and chatted about travel, culture shocks, film-making magic and how everything in life is about timing. Find the full piece here.
  • Celaviedmai
    Meet Celaviedmai (Maimouna Salif) a 25-year-old rapper from Galway. She spoke to me about the music scene in Ireland, the importance of having friends as collaborators and how Galway 2020 can foster positive vibes. Read the full piece here.
  • Lorcan Gorham
    Lorcan, a 26-year-old tattoo artist from Leitir Mealláin’ talks to Julia Monard about life as a tattooist in Galway City and tattooing as Gaeilge. Read the full piece here.
  • Kiki Saint Clair
    Meet Kiki, a 29-year-old drag queen living in Galway City. She spoke to me about the growing drag scene in Galway, the importance of self-love and inspiring social change. Read the full piece here.
  • Erin Darcy
    A painter, a writer, photographer, mother, and activist, amongst other things. Originally from Oklahoma, Erin has been calling Ireland her home for the last 12 years and currently resides in Loughrea. She spoke to me about pregnancy and motherhood, grief, love, community and the strength of women. Read the full piece here.
  • Aoife Light
    Aoife is a photographer and a life model currently residing in Spiddal. She’s an art history graduate, a single mother and feminist. In her work, she celebrates the raw vulnerable side of the human form and experience. Read the full piece here.
  • John Martin Tierney
    Meet the multi-talented singer, songwriter, and guitarist John Martin Tierney. As well as his band Janaj and his solo work, John is the rhythm guitarist and enigmatic force in Galway’s rock n’ roll band Dead Horse Jive. Self-titled ‘the busiest, most punctual, best-dressed band in the country’ they are currently taking the country by storm. Unafraid to take on topics like toxic masculinity, growing up during an economic crisis and Brexit, Dead Horse Jive deliver with gusto, charisma, and craic. Read the full piece here.
  • Tatiana Dobos
    Tatiana is a ceramic maker originally from Moldova. We talked about the link between shapes and human emotions, her fascination with molding wet earth into something beautiful and the art of living in the now. Her work is rooted in an old traditional technique from Romania and inspired by many fragments of her life in Ireland. Read the full piece here.