Nancy Spero: Artaud x Feminism

As part of Artaud in Ireland, Ranelagh Arts is delighted to present Nancy Spero, Artaud x Feminism, celebrating the work of American artist Nancy Spero (1926–2009), opening on 10 September 2026 and running until 27 September.

The presentation of Spero’s work in Ireland is part of an ongoing collaboration with Paul Smith that explores Antonin Artaud’s influence and enduring relevance. In 2026, the collaboration expands across two Dublin locations, Ranelagh Arts and GalleryX.

At Ranelagh Arts, the exhibition will feature Spero’s original artwork Artaud Head, generously loaned by Jon Bird, personal friend to Nancy Spero, with help & support of the Frith Street Gallery London. Spero’s engagement with French writer and theatre-maker Antonin Artaud was an important strand of her practice, and the work offers a rare opportunity to encounter her distinctive visual language firsthand.

The exhibition will also include screenings of two films exploring Spero’s work and her relationship with Ireland: Nancy Spero in Derry Northern Ireland 1992, a documentary by Irene Sosa, and Nancy Spero, a short film by Patsy Scala.

Known for her powerful engagement with feminism, politics, war and the representation of women, Spero developed an intensely personal visual vocabulary through drawing, collage and printmaking. Her work challenged established systems of power and representation, placing women’s bodies and voices at the centre of her practice.

Exhibition: 10–27 September 2026 Locations: Ranelagh Arts and GalleryX, Dublin Opening at Ranelagh Arts: 6pm 10th September 2026