The Importance of Art Spaces in Dublin
If you had not heard of The Complex, Dublin’s beloved “nationally and internationally recognised centre for contemporary “Irish arts” as they proudly owned in a statement released January 15th, 2026. With language such as “saving” and “loss of”, leaves Dublin losing not just a space, but an extension of the Irish identity. An organisation that has been part of the Dublin arts scene for 18 years has been nothing short of a mural of the Irish being. With its complexities and creativity, past exhibitions such as Residues of the Garden of Eden, MACRO, Things Are Tough Things Are Glorious, are reflections of the emotional experience of being human.
It was once a retail space and formerly a fruit factory; then fed Dublin in a refreshingly creative way. With close proximity to the Jameson Distillery factory, this cultural space made way for the Irish identity to not just be known for being exceptional distillers, but also that the Irish are talented at producing music, art, and other performances that bring people together.
In December 2025, a month before the announcement of the closure, hundreds of protestors took to the streets to defend the necessity of The Complex. Frustration arose at the lack of urgency to find a solution. Where the private landlord refused to renew the lease, whose focus seemingly was entirely on the redevelopment value. With a promise from the Arts Council to fund The Complex until the end of 2026, the hope did not last long, as the funding would only cover the artistic programming and activity. The City Council set up an emergency motion, and the question of how much funding would be put forward. But with the lack of initiative and any resolution, the motion ultimately led to nowhere as the lease expired at midnight on January 14, 2026.
But to understand this impact, one must understand what this space meant to the protestors. Alison Pilkington (@alisonpilk), an artist who showcases a lot of her work on Instagram, described The Complex as not a temporary in-and-out space but a sort of home for her art, as she urged people to “Remember artworks need studios” and how she was “ packing [hers]” in a highlight. For many artists, renting an entire studio individually is an unattainable cost. For artists such as Alison, where can they store their art? Where would their creativity breathe? For now, we will have to appreciate many Irish artists’ work online, unable to grasp the entirety of the detail.
This isolation in the art scene in Dublin not only impacts the showcasing of art but also cuts off any artist from their community. The meaning of art spaces is that they are an expression of the human experience. They represent emotion, thought, and a voice that speaks to a community. And for the Irish art scene, the strength in community is what enriches the Irish identity. For a history that has had every attempt at removing the Irish identity, many artists eternalise it through creating art that reflects experiences and/or perceptions of being intertwined with Ireland. To see that in person, with other people who are drawn to that very same representation, is to find their community. So with no spaces to support all the local artists who can draw their community in, isolation becomes a concern.
This access to community is also vital to the flourishing of art. It is fair to assume it is harder to reach people on online platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. And with this lack of audience reach, there comes a discussion for artists to create, as they are usually unable to make ends meet. This not only takes away the artists’ main source of being discovered but also takes away the audience’s ability to properly engage in the art. This disconnection leaves the art scene in Dublin lacking foundation, and in turn, the presence of the Irish art scene becomes endangered.
But don’t worry, the art scene in Dublin is not one to go silently. While the continuance of The Complex is out of our hands, there are still countless places throughout Dublin that artists can gather to showcase their art and communities can strengthen in numbers. Keeping these art spaces busy will show Dublin that the art scene is a key part of Irish society and is here to stay.
So when you're walking down Rathmines and don’t know where to start when it comes to exploring the Dublin art scene, take a peek into The MART Gallery as it's the perfect place to start. While an intimate space, it is one that always has a variety of different artistic events happening. From farmers' markets to local artist exhibitions, it is completely free and conveniently located. Taking only about a 15 minute stroll around the entirety of the gallery, it is the perfect pit-stop in your pre-grocery run.
If you’re really ready to get your hands dirty, making the journey to Dublin 8 to be “advocate[d] for and provide[d] affordable, long-term, high quality, accessible and well-managed studio space in Dublin” is well worth the journey. With recent events like their “Folio Christmas Market”, FLUX Dublin is a creative space where artists and art lovers alike can interact. And if you are left feeling inspired after admiring all the art, FLUX offers a variety of courses on its website for all forms of art.
With the closure of The Complex, many of us can start to feel hopeless and lost. But channelling this passion towards the existence of the Dublin art scene, where artistic communities need to come together to support the livelihoods of artists. Follow online accounts that keep you updated on the newest events in art spaces and make art a part of your healthy habits for 2026. So keep these spaces full, get your tickets, keep creating, and I’ll see you at the next event!
Writer: Sophia Arceo (@sophiearceo)
Copyeditor: Alex Kelleher (@alex_kelleher_)
