Rachel Kenny (b. 1998) is a Cork-born multi-disciplinary artist, based in Dublin, Ireland. She holds a Commended Honours Bachelor's degree in Fine Art Print from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, with prior studies in Philosophy, Sociology, and Drama Studies, University College Dublin. In 2023, she earned the prestigious Graduate Award from Graphic Studio Dublin and her work was acquired by The Office of Public Works, Dublin Castle, joining the esteemed State Art Collection of Ireland. She is currently funded and supported by the Irish Arts Council and Design & Crafts Council Ireland.
INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Graphic Studio Dublin
FLUX Studios
Design & Crafts Council IrelandInternational Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists
Visual Artists Ireland
ArtnetDLR
COLLECTIONS
Office of Public Works Irish State Art Collection, Dublin Castle
Graphic Studio Dublin
AWARDS
Design & Crafts Council Ireland
Emerging Maker - Sustainable Design Award (Sole Recipient) (2025)
Travel and Training Award (2025)
Arts Council Ireland Agility Award (2024)
Graphic Studio Dublin Graduate Award (2023)
Office of Public Works Purchase Award (2023)National College of Art and Design Commended Honours Bachelor of Fine Art Print (2023)
Graphic Studio Dublin
FLUX Studios
Design & Crafts Council IrelandInternational Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists
Visual Artists Ireland
ArtnetDLR
COLLECTIONS
Office of Public Works Irish State Art Collection, Dublin Castle
Graphic Studio Dublin
AWARDS
Design & Crafts Council Ireland
Emerging Maker - Sustainable Design Award (Sole Recipient) (2025)
Travel and Training Award (2025)
Arts Council Ireland Agility Award (2024)
Graphic Studio Dublin Graduate Award (2023)
Office of Public Works Purchase Award (2023)National College of Art and Design Commended Honours Bachelor of Fine Art Print (2023)
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2025
Crosscurrents, Herman’s Auctioneers, Dublin.
Open Studio Exhibit, Residency at JOYA:AiR, Andalucía, Spain.
How to peel an onion without crying, The Art Shelter Collective, FLUX Gallery, Chatham Row, Dublin.
The Secret of Colour & Light, ArtNetdlr, curated by Louise Neiland, supported by dlr County Council, Dublin.
2024
Daonnacht, Richmond Road Studios, Dublin.
Echoes of Home, Simon Communities of Ireland & Graphic Studio Dublin, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin.
Culture Night, FLUX Gallery, Chatham Row, Dublin.
Summer Exhibition, Graphic Studio Gallery, Temple Bar, Dublin.
Annual Exhibition, FLUX Dublin, The Bank 85 James’s St, Dublin.
ÁIT002, ÁIT Spaces, Dublin.
Phizzfest Arts Festival, Daylight Studios, Glasnevin, Dublin.
Types of Beings, Shoebox Gallery, Bismarck Stoneybatter, Dublin.
Interdependent, ArtNetdlr, selected by Cian Mc Loughlin, supported by dlr County Council, Dublin.
ReBloom, IAPMA Paper Art Biennale, Hagen im Bremischen, Germany.
2023
What are we waiting for? - Tribute to Ashling Murphy, KuBa, Klein Warnow, Germany.
Conversations With Trees, ArtNetdlr, selected by Eamon Colman, supported by dlr County Council.
Here and Now, TON Gallery, Temple Bar, Dublin.
Take What You Want, ÁIT Spaces, Dublin.
Art Riddler Annual Exhibition, Studio 10, Wicklow Street, Dublin.
Graduate Exhibition, National College of Art and Design, Dublin.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & OTHER EDUCATION
* Commended Honours Bachelor of Fine Art Print 2020-2023
National College of Art & Design, Dublin, Ireland.
* Higher Diploma Illustration 2019-2020
Stillorgan College of Further Education, Dublin, Ireland.
* Drama Studies, Philosophy & Sociology 2018-2020
University College Dublin, Ireland.
* Screen Acting 2018-2019
Bow Street Academy, Dublin, Ireland.
* Drama Studies 2018
The Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin, Ireland.
RESIDENCIES
2025 JOYA: AiR , Andalucia, Spain.
2023 KuBa: Kulturbahnhof., Klein Warnow, Germany.
PUBLICATIONS
God Awful Love
An artistic collaboration spotlighting emerging Irish writer Sarah Creighton-Keogh and visual artist Rachel Kenny(Forthcoming)
The Production of Shame and its Impact on the Creative.
Thesis, Dissertation, 2023.
Selected for publication at the National College of Art and Design Library.
Making of Marks,
2022.
An external collaboration with Blackchurch Print Studios, Dublin and the National College of Art & Design,
PRESS
Design & Crafts Council Ireland announces Future Makers 2025 winnersPress Release, DCCI. (2025)
A Cork artist has been chosen to feature in a celebration of ‘captivating paper artworks’.Editorial Feature, Yay Cork. (2024)
God Awful Love: Exploring Sarah Creighton-Keogh and Rachel Kenny’s Artistic x Poetry Connection. Editorial Feature, Void Magazine. (2024)
In Conversation With: Rachel Kenny. Interview with Void Magazine. (2024)
Discovering Rachel Kenny: A Journey into Multidisciplinary Art, Interview with Starfish Magazine. (2024)
New Generation Gallery. Artist Profile on Irish Arts Review. Available here. (2023)
Art Riddler: The Selected Artists of 2023. Artist Profile. Available here. (2023)