Bag of Excuses
Vault Member Amadan Ensemble presents a new interdisciplinary exhibition and programme of tailored workshops ‘Bag of Excuses’ by Vault Members Gemma Mae Halligan and Sinead O’Neill-Nicholl.
‘Bag of Excuses’ is a multi-media installation inspired by source material obtained from the BBC Sounds Assume Nothing podcast ‘Femicide: Eight Steps to Stop a Murder’ and this current iteration of the collaborative work between Halligan and O’Neill-Nicholl includes workshops aimed at young women, young men and older women. Halligan, a theatre maker, specialising in devised theatre and O’Neill-Nicholl, a sound installation artist with a research based practice, have created a multi-media installation following their exploration of the research around femicide by Professor Jane Monckton-Smith.
Prof Jane Monckton-Smith’s research outlined eight stages that lead to virtually all instances of intimate partner homicide. The podcast series examines these stages through the cases of eight Irish women murdered by men who claimed to love them. Monckton-Smith’s research is devastating and proves that femicide is largely preventable if only we understood it more, and believed the mythology around men killing women a little less. The installation and workshops aim to share Monkton-Smith’s research and improve understanding of violence against women and girls.
The exhibition and workshops will be on display at PSSquared (Paragon Studios Project Space) from Tuesday 24 to Sunday 29 March and contain sound, video imagery and textiles.
About Amadan Ensemble
Amadan Ensemble makes devised theatre specialising in the practice of Clown Bouffon. We create and produce original work that takes risks, touring productions throughout ROI and NI since 2014. Our work is accessible, stimulating, relevant, entertaining and challenging for audiences, encouraging interaction and engagement.
Gemma Mae Halligan is a Co-founder & Creative Director of Amadan. Gemma Mae has worked as an actor with companies including Rough Magic, Lyric Theatre Belfast, Tinderbox, the Abbey Theatre, Kabosh. Gemma Mae trained in Critical Response Process with Liz Lerman, Clown Bouffon with Mick Barnfather, Philippe Gaulier; Eric Davis and Devising Practice with David Glass. With Amadan she has been able to combine her love for design; making, with devising, directing, creating theatre for all ages, both indoor and outdoors.
About Sinéad O’Neill-Nicholl
Sinéad O’Neill-Nicholl has a research-based Fine Art practice and works predominantly with sound and light to create installation and performance art. She has exhibited in group and solo shows across the island of Ireland and more recently in Minneapolis. Sinéad holds key roles in a number of arts organisations in Belfast including Household, Creative Exchange and Vault Artist Studios.
Please be aware that this installation deals with themes of violence and murder against women and girls.
Bag of Excuses will include an artist talk by Gemma Mae Halligan and Sinéad O’Neill-Nicholl addressing the creation of the installation and the inspiration for their collaborative work. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to participate in 3 separate workshops facilitated by Laura Nelson, Cathy Scullion and Bobbi Rae Purdy.
Artist talk with Gemma Mae Halligan and Sinéad O’Neill-Nicholl on Wednesday 25 March at 19:00 in PS2 Rosemary St, Belfast.
Free workshops exploring the themes of the exhibition will be facilitated by artists Laura Nelson, Cathy Scullion and Bobbi Rae Purdy from Friday 27 to Sun 29 March 2026.
Further information about the workshops can be found through Amandan Ensemble’s website and their social media platforms.
This exhibition and workshop programme has been supported by Belfast City Council and Arts Council NI.