Fiona Marron—The centrality of bodies
Pallas Projects are pleased to present Fiona Marron—The centrality of bodies, the second exhibition of our 2026 Artist-Initiated Projects programme.
Building on Marron’s long standing engagement with communications and internet infrastructure, this exhibition brings together new artworks that collectively address the material, social and relational underpinnings of such systems. ‘The centrality of bodies’ combines moving-image, photographic, print and sculptural elements in an installation that builds a conceptual interplay between artefacts and individuals, occupying diverse nodes in a shared history. Exploring the making and unmaking of worlds, events unfold across time, measured against life phases and technological lifespans. A dispersal of illumination, cognition, energy and attention weave their way into the narrative, in a contemporary moment where we grapple with generational identities and legacies, be that personally or societally.
From the grinding gears of a near-century old green machine, with its faithful operators manufacturing a subsea fibre optic cable for a modern day offshore energy farm - to the recovery and recycling of a decommissioned cable, once the subject of fanfare when it ushered in a new era of communication back in 1988: the first ever subsea fibre optic cable to span the Atlantic …. Long since dark on the ocean floor, but lifted back to daylight at least, by a dedicated crew on their newly designed vessel. The labour of their efforts acknowledged.
And in each one - inverted interactions of technologies old and new.
Depths and shallows. Thresholds crossed. Leaps of faith and anchors of trust.
Biography:
Fiona Marron is a visual artist based in Co. Monaghan. Her research-based practice predominantly manifests as moving-image installation for exhibition, while her wider process often combines print, text, drawing and sculptural methods. Stemming from an interest in human behaviour, her work traverses interconnected social systems within various contexts of trade, industry and labour environments - with projects regularly unearthing the material and social infrastructures that underpin them.
Previous solo exhibitions have been at Artbox, Dublin (2016); Flat Time House, London (2015); RUA RED South Dublin Arts Centre (2013); The Joinery, Dublin (2010 & 2011) and FOUR, Dublin (2009). Her work has been presented in several group exhibitions and film screenings across Ireland, along with international venues including CAPC Musée d’art contemporain de Bordeaux, France and Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo of Torino, Italy. She has been awarded numerous residencies including the inaugural artist-in-residence program at the Irish Architectural Archive (2019), Askeaton Contemporary Arts (2016), UCD Art-in-Science (2015) and most recently at Cow House Studios, Wexford (2025). Her work has featured in publications including Art Monthly, MAP and Paper Visual Art. She holds a BA in Fine Art from DIT (2009) & an MA in Visual Arts Practices from IADT (2013). Her practice has been supported by Arts Council Bursary Awards (2017 & 2020) and Agility Awards (2021 & 2024).
