Nancy Spero: Artaud x Feminism: Further Reading

We’re delighted to present the work of Nancy Spero at Ranelagh Arts this September, as part of our ongoing collaboration with Paul Smith exploring Antonin Artaud’s influence and his important relationship with Ireland. The exhibition brings together Spero’s work through the lens of her long and complex engagement with Artaud.

The exhibition features Spero’s original artwork 'Artaud Head', generously loaned by Jon Bird, a personal friend of Nancy Spero, with the help and support of Frith Street Gallery, London.

Alongside Artaud Head, the exhibition includes Nancy Spero: 43 Works on Paper, Excerpts From the Writings of Antonin Artaud, with Susan Sontag, Johanna Fateman and Mignon Nixon, and a photograph by Georges Pastier.

Films

Two documentary films offer further insight into Spero and her work:

Nancy Spero — Patsy Scala [Watch film]

https://mads.si.edu/mads/view/AAA-AAA_spernanc_9330_m

Nancy Spero in Derry Northern Ireland 1992 — Irene Sosa [Watch film]

http://irenesosa.org/derry-n-i-1993

Further Reading

We’re also sharing texts exploring Spero’s relationship with language and Antonin Artaud.

Book of Tongues

Book of Tongues.pdf

Download PDF • 3.02MB

Artaud Mania

ARTAUD MANIA.pdf

Download PDF • 2.10MB

New Yorker 19 May 1973, article by Susan Sontag

NEWYORKER_MAY19_1973.pdf

Download PDF • 12.50MB

Whether you’re familiar with Spero’s work or discovering it for the first time, we hope these films and texts offer another way into the exhibition.

Nancy Spero Artuad x Feminism at Ranelagh Arts

Opens 6pm 10th September

Runs 10–27 September 2026

Ranelagh Arts, Dublin 6