Little Interview

Over the last number of years, we have interviewed diverse members of the Glucksman community - artists, academics, staff members, guests, audiences and workshop participants. The responses are funny, inspiring, revealing and always a great read.

This month, we hear from Cathy Cannon, Retail and Events Manager at The Glucksman.

What are you reading?

At moment I am reading Barcelona by Mary Costello, a collection of gorgeously written, eerie short stories. When I am out of the pattern of reading in my day-to-day life, I find short stories a great way of getting back into the habit! Before this, I was making my way through Elena Ferrante's series of Neapolitan novels, which examine at the inner lives and relationship of two friends as they move through life - a fantastic series full of drama!

Favourite museum?

Leighton House in Holland Park, London comes to mind when I think of favourite museums. This small house, located within the Holland Park Circle, is the preserved former home of Victorian artist Frederick Leighton, who worked within the Neoclassical and Pre-Raphelite art movements of the 1800s. It's a lush, opulent space and holds paintings by the artist, as well as his collected objects from his travels across the world. The richly tiled Arabic Hall is worth a visit alone!

Best performance?

Spit Spit Scrub Scrub by Amada Coogan had a profound impact on my understanding of art and performance when I saw it during my degree studies. The visual, the act and the female power of this work has stayed with me since. 

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of seeing Iarla Ó Lionáird perform in the intimate setting of the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith - it was breath taking!

Most treasured possession?

I have a collection of magnetic bottle openers that I have picked up during various trips abroad over the years. They are super tacky! But I love them, and they hold a lot of memories for me.

Work(s) of art that inspire you?  

I am very lucky to spend my working day surrounded by wonderful, inspirational art! Isabel Nolan's textile installation The Barely Perceptible Vibration of Everything, 2017 continues to inspire me - her use of materials, her reference to art history and her reimagining of understood contexts holds a lot of interest for me - I can't wait to see her work for the Venice Biennale next year!

A lightbulb moment?

Seeing Dead Centre's Chekov's First Play was a lightbulb moment for me. I had recently moved to London and was working at Battersea Art Centre, and this was one of the first productions I saw there. To see this visceral, epic piece of theatre based on Chekov, but with a context of Ireland and the Celtic Tiger, when I was a new immigrant to London was really impactful on me.

Guilty pleasure?

I'm not big on reality TV but I do love to veg out by watching Come Dine with Me from time to time.

What would you like to be doing right now?

I love having some time with my other half in a cosy corner of a pub, with a pint of Guinness each and a bag of Taytos!