Autumn Exhibitions 2026

This is the first solo exhibition of Ulster University's Conflict Textiles project at the Art Gallery. The disappeared, and those affected by it, have always been at the core of Conflict Textiles, exposing the lived experience of those who have been affected by the ripples of enforced disappearances by various regimes. Through the arpilleras, other textiles & other art forms, participants can experience the creative responses by witnesses to these events.

This show brings together older work which came at flux times in Shipsides’ practice. It marks developing tendencies, changes in thinking and expanding methods, for example, moving from direct ideas of rock-climbing as art to encompassing the wider collaborative worlds which circulate that experiential activity. It also marks shifts in artistic license, in becoming confident to follow the creative attention and process in more open and less controlled ways and often with humour.

Ulster Presents and Ulster University Art Gallery are proud to partner with Outburst Arts to celebrate 20 years of Outburst Queer Arts Festival, which has produced and showcased award-winning queer art events and cutting edge happenings in Belfast and beyond since 2007. More details will be announced soon.