Four intergenerational artists in Northern Ireland will be featured in an upcoming exhibition titled “The Night Journal”, which explores the constructed realities of the night. The exhibition will open with a launch event on Saturday 3 October 2026 from 7-9pm.
Featuring new and existing works, including print, drawing, installation, film, and a new text by Michaela Razafima Nash, “The Night Journal” takes readers on a journey through the different artists’ perspectives on the night. Written from the viewpoint of an insomnia-driven walk, the journal captures the unique worlds of each artist in a blend of sodium-lit grit and fantasy.
One of the featured artists, Aisling O’Beirn, presents “Secondhand Nightscapes”, a series of framed drawings portraying the night sky over the course of a year. With urban light pollution obstructing the view, O’Beirn reconstructs what should be visible, drawing on the human tendency to find meaning in the stars through practices such as maritime navigation and astrology.
Surrealist artist Wilhelmina Peace brings her unique perspective to the exhibition with her printing and drawing. Her dreamscapes play with scale, symbolism, memory, and hints of mysticism, offering a mesmerizing experience for viewers.
In addition to the journal, Michaela Razafima Nash shares gif works that document her experience with insomnia and the distorted half-waking state that comes with living with chronic illness. These works aim to blur the lines between night and day, collapsing the traditional circadian rhythm when energy levels no longer follow a predictable pattern.
The exhibition comes to a close with “Brutal Discotèque” by Reuben Brown, featuring a new installation and film that explores queer club culture and the activation of urban spaces at night, such as the space under a motorway flyover.
The “Night Journal” exhibition will be held at the Centre for Contemporary Art Derry~Londonderry, located at 10-12 Artillery Street. Admission is free and the exhibition will be open from Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 6pm.
Established in Derry~Londonderry, the Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) is a publicly funded space that provides opportunities for audiences to experience ambitious, experimental, and engaging art, while also supporting emerging artists in their careers. CCA offers a diverse range of artistic, curatorial, and critical practices through its five program streams: research and production, exhibition-making, public programs, publishing, and residencies.
In recognition of its resilience and adaptability throughout the pandemic, CCA was named a Finalist in Art Fund Museum of the Year 2021, the largest museum prize in the world. The organization was also commended for its efforts in supporting audiences and artists, including creating paid opportunities for artists and freelancers during the pandemic.
CCA is a member of Plus Tate, a network of 35 cultural institutions, including the Tate galleries, that have a strong artistic vision, focus on contemporary art, and a commitment to engaging with local communities through art. Plus Tate aims to support the development of the visual arts across the UK.
For media inquiries, please contact Vanessa Marsh, Marketing Coordinator for CCA Derry~Londonderry, at vanessa@ccadld.org or +44(0)2871 373538.
