Fri 29 Jan - Sun 2 May, 2027
Previews will be held on Thu 28 Jan, 2027
Nolan’s powerful work makes the case that art can go beyond merely documenting the world, asking us also to look to our place in the universe. Her interest in a variety of viewpoints; historical, scientific, and the spiritual, offers a sweeping perspective beyond our present situation. Drawing on science, spiritual and cultural legacies, Nolan’s exhibition promises to be a powerful experience for visitors.
This major exhibition comes at a significant moment in Nolan’s career, in 2026 she represents Ireland at the 61st Venice Biennale, Italy.
Free entry
“The opportunity to have this exhibition travel to the Bluecoat is very gratifying. I had the pleasure of making multiple visits to Liverpool in 2024-2025 leading into exhibiting at the 2025 edition of the Liverpool Biennial, 'Bedrock'. Searching for both the inspiration and the location for the commissioned outdoor work was a particularly special way to get to know some aspects of the city. I'm already looking forward to being back.”
About the artist
Isabel Nolan (b. 1974) lives and works in Dublin. Her expansive practice incorporates sculptures, paintings, textile works, photographs, writing, works on paper and performance. Her work often explores cosmological phenomena, religious reliquaries, Greco-Roman sculptures and literary/historical figures, examining the behaviour of humans and animals alike. Nolan’s work is often recognised for its geometric shapes, vivid colours and an intensive research approach to the subject.
Nolan was a part of Liverpool Biennial 2025, curated by Marie-Anne McQuay. Her sculpture – ‘Where you are, what we are, with others’ – remains situated in Liverpool City Centre at the John Lennon Art and Design Building at Liverpool John Moores University, and reflects architectural details of two historic Liverpool Cathedrals – St Nicholas’ Pro-Cathedral and Lutyen’s Crypt at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.
Isabel Nolan’s exhibition at the Bluecoat is in partnership with Southwark Park Galleries in London, where it will launch in August, 2026. This exhibition is generously supported at the Bluecoat by Culture Ireland, the Paul & Louise Cooke Endowment, Arts Council England and the Henry Moore Foundation. Supported by Liverpool Bid, The Granada Foundation and Art Friends Merseyside.
