Finding our place in the universe: The best visual arts shows to see this week

Clodagh Emoe looks the nature of existence; Paul Hallahan muses on perception and time

Clodagh Emoe, Eternity by the Stars, Maynooth
Clodagh Emoe, Eternity by the Stars, Maynooth

Francis Boag: Con Brio

The Doorway Gallery, 24 South Frederick St, Dublin Until October 26th thedoorwaygallery.com
Francis Boag's unabashed relish for colour has served him well through the decades as artist and teacher. His recent work doesn't break the mould, offering upbeat treatments of floral still life, people, places and everyday life.

Paul Hallahan: It’s not the worst I have ever looked, just the most I’ve ever cared

Studio 11, Temple Bar Gallery + Studios, 5-9 Temple bar, Dublin Until October 31st templebargallery.com
Paul Hallahan winds up his 12-month residency of a project studio at TBG+S with "a small exhibition" of works made during his time there as he mused on "perception, time and palindromes". It includes seven paintings, some small sculptures and a window decal, plus SPEAKER events with Tanad Williams and Jaki Irvine on October 16th and 22nd respectively.

Clodagh Emoe: Eternity by the Stars

Illuminations Gallery, Maynooth University, Co Kildare Until November 29th, 2020
Five film works by Clodagh Emoe, all spurred by reflections on our position in an interdependent, interconnected universe. The title is from an 1872 text by Auguste Blanqui, "more than an astrological hypothesis", a speculation on "the possibility of freedom within an infinite universe."

The Paul Kane Gallery Pop-up 2019

Group show. Irish Architectural Archive, 45 Merrion Sq, Dublin September 7th-12th iarc.ie
One of the Paul Kane Gallery's periodic pop-ups at the IAA, including work by gallery artists and guests. That means a wide range of distinctively individual personalities, from Veronica Bolay's feeling for atmospheric nuance to Marc Reilly's engagement with space and light. Dominique Crowley, Megan Eustace, Niall Kerrigan, Marie Joseph Lahaye, Roisin McGuigan, Deirdre O'Brien, Wesley Triggs, Hazel Walker and more also feature.

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Watercolour Society of Ireland: 165th Annual Exhibition

The Gallery, Farmleigh House, White's Road, Phoenix Park, Dublin Until October 13th farmleigh.ie
Approximately 300 works, incorporating watercolours, pastels, prints and drawings, by over 100 artists. Among the exhibitors are Chris Dearden, Pauline Doyle, Joe Dunne, Olivia Hayes, Les Jones, John Keating, Vincent Lambe, Pamela Leonard, Brett McEntagart, Tom Ryan and Susan Sex.