Rua Red

Array Collective presents The Goose and the Common, a new exhibition commissioned by Rua Red. Upending the language of protest, surveillance, defence, and displacement, the collective invites the viewer to journey through a series of spaces where organising and collaboration are encouraged. As we find ourselves in this polemic moment of “ussuns” vs “themmuns” it is important that we continue to find our voices and make noise. It’s equally important to recognise those who are restricted from speaking up and how acts of solidarity exist beyond the streets. Visitors to the gallery can make use of the wearable pieces and take a moment of rest, work together in weaving, or sing out in solidarity. The exhibition takes its title from the 18th century poem The Goose and the Common, a reaction to a colonial legislative act that privatized common land.

Array Collective formed in 2016 taking part in the almost weekly rallies and protests in Belfast in solidarity around the issues of abortion rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, the Irish Language Act, Palestine, NHS cuts and climate change. The group devised ways of making a scene and using humour and irony to subvert the language of oppression and containment.

Although there has consistently been a need to speak up against atrocities, over the past 18 months there has been a rise in tensions resulting in more than weekly demonstrations. With the increasing threat to public protest and assembly the need for community and coming together is more prominent than ever.

Since 2023 Array have been working with the team at Rua Red around the theme of Stories of Displacement and Belonging – Hospitality/Hostility/Hostipitality, and as part of this worked with the Ukrainian community housed in Tallaght resulting in the formation of the Phoenix Artist Collective.