CCA Ulster University Graduate Support Award: Áine Crawford

Áine Crawford is the BA recipient of the 2026 CCA Ulster University Graduate Support Award. The Award consists of the opportunity to use CCA's Project Space, stipend and mentoring with CCA Director Catherine Hemelryk.

About Áine Crawford

Áine Crawford is the BA award recipient. Their practice explores moments in the everyday and mundane where the abject body is at a threshold, caught in jeopardy physically, mentally, or through sensory inputs. A foundation of this practice is an interest in storytelling and worldbuilding, which they develop through drawings described as “my ladies” existing within their void, liminal world that parallels our own. In the face of rapidly increasing femicide and domestic violence statistics in a post-conflict North of Ireland, their ladies act as narrators to explore how misogyny and surveillance directly impact female presenting bodies within the domestic sphere.

Áine aims to consider how, within systems of injustice, there can be a voyeuristic expectation for the ordinary person to silently observe or dismiss pain and suffering of others/self to benefit authoritative figures, especially within online algorithms. They are interested in positions of authority and the complexities involved in being a witness.

They have previously been a Co-Director at Platform Arts, Belfast and have appeared in group exhibitions at Vault, Belfast, University of Manchester and performed at Belfast International Festival of Performance Art at PS2 in 2026.

During their time in CCA's Project Space, they will be developing new work and engaging with the artists and initiatives around the city.
@naked.wellyboots

Supported by Ulster University. CCA is supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Derry City & Strabane District Council and Garfield Weston Foundation.

Images:
Áine Crawford, Milk Factory, [2/19], He Said/She Said (2025-2026). Monoprint series on Japanese paper