Saturday 12 September in Belfast

Belfast times. Last refreshed Fri 19:33.

Saturday 12 September 4 listings

Ongoing 4

Until30 Nov

‘Art of the Possible’

Over the past decade, the Ulster Museum has collected a significant number of important artworks from around the world—many of which have never been seen by the public until now. Art of the Possible features over 40 artworks made from glass, ceramics, silver, metalwork, jewellery, and wood. These works were created by some of the most talented and important artists and designers working in these materials today.
Until31 Oct

A Thirst for Silver exhibition

Visit an exhibition of original works by 50 silversmiths. The exhibition is a focus on the silver beaker. Each maker has interpreted it in a distinctive way, from traditional techniques and meticulous craftsmanship to contemporary experimentation and individual artistic expression. Among the exhibitors are five local silversmiths: Cara Murphy Stuart Cairns Samantha Moore Claire Mooney, and Michael McCrory. The exhibition is free and launches during Late Night Art . For more information on Craft NI exhibitions, go to Craft NI (link opens in new window).
Until31 Oct

NEW WORK John Carson

Launch : Saturday 12th September 1pm-3pm Dates : 12th September – 31st October 2026 Gallery : Lower Gallery In September 2026, Golden Thread Gallery will present NEW WORK, a major new exhibition by internationally acclaimed multidisciplinary artist John Carson. Originally from Northern Ireland and now based in Pittsburgh, USA, Carson’s practice spans film, sound, installation and public art. Combining humour, research and personal narrative, his work explores themes of history, identity, place and belonging. The exhibition brings together three new film projects that examine cultural connections between Ireland and the United States through Carson’s distinctive blend of storytelling, historical inquiry and wit. John Carson’s exhibition is supported by Culture Ireland’s Shared Island Touring Production and Platforms Fund and through partnership between Askeaton Contemporary Arts (Limerick), Golden Thread Gallery and the Border Biennale (Cavan). Carson Street is a 19-minute ‘mockumentary’ exploring how Carson Street in Pittsburgh got its name. Carson’s video invites you to join him in searching for the story behind the naming of Carson Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Carson’s inquiries find him engaging in kerbside conversations, visiting local residents and businesses, exploring historical archives, consulting experts, and eventually heading for Philadelphia to pursue a promising lead. Pittsburg Street . Originally from Belfast, Carson has lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for 20 years and was intrigued to recently discover that there is a Pittsburg Street in Belfast. This short video sets out to search for Pittsburg Street and to examine its history and character. Same But Different examines shared cross-border musical traditions via filmed performances of 3 tunes by 3 musicians from Cavan, and 3 musicians from Fermanagh on flute, tin whistle, fiddle, guitar, accordion and bagpipes. Sub-titles reveal alternative lyrics to each tune and indicate different affiliations. The intention is not to reinforce the notion of two separate cultures, but rather to highlight commonalities within and across Ireland’s ‘two cultures’ as evidenced in shared musical references. “John Carson is a Pittsburgh-based Northern Irish artist, who over five decades has investigated and found new ways of understanding Irish identity. Through video, installation and exhibitions since the 1970s, seen throughout the world, his enthusiastic endeavours have continually made a socially orientated art – one encompassing strains of conceptual art, the immersive role of popular culture, and a form of storytelling peppered with insightful wit and humour.” Sean Lynch, Askeaton Contemporary Arts About the Artist John Carson is an artist whose practice incorporates performance, sound, film, installation, sculpture, drawing, photography and public art. As both an artist and curator, he has been involved in numerous context-based and socially engaged projects. Carson’s work has been exhibited internationally at venues including The Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin; the ICA, London; CCA, Glasgow; IKON Gallery, Birmingham; Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, Australia; the Aine Art Museum, Finland; PS1, New York; New Langton Arts, San Francisco; and The Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh. Accessibility The Lower Gallery is accessed via the ground floor, which is step-free. Large print versions of exhibition texts are available. Access videos of the gallery are available on our website here , with BSL and ISL signed versions. Please let us know if you have any questions or additional requirements, we are working hard to make the gallery as accessible as possible for everyone. Golden Thread Gallery is proud to hold an Arts & Disability Access Award 2025 Venue Accreditation. Golden Thread Gallery is supported by: Exhibition is supported by: Culture Ireland’s Shared Island Touring Production and Platforms Fund and through partnership between Askeaton Contemporary Arts (Limerick), Golden Thread Gallery and the Border Biennale (Cavan).
Until31 Oct

SECTARIAN MURDER SERIES Paul Seawright

Launch : Saturday 12th September 1pm-3pm Dates : 12th September – 31st October 2026 Gallery : Upper Gallery The exhibition presents Paul Seawright’s iconic Sectarian Murder series, which revisits sites of sectarian killings in Belfast through understated photographs and edited newspaper reports, exploring the enduring legacy of violence, memory, and identity during the Troubles. Seawright revisited and photographed the sites of Sectarian attacks during the 1970’s close to where the artist grew up in Belfast. The texts accompanying each photograph are from newspaper reports at the time and document the murders of innocent civilians, killed for their perceived religion. Reference to Protestant or Catholic background was removed from the text. Seawright is best known for his alternative visual analysis of locations and subjects dominated by mainstream media. His photographs are devoid of obvious drama but loaded with implicit tension. In 2002 he was commissioned by the Imperial War Museum London to respond to the war in Afghanistan and his photographs of battle-sites and minefields have subsequently been exhibited worldwide. The iconic Sectarian Murder series is one of his earlier works, and has been exhibited in more than 20 countries, including at Tate Britain, Planet Parr in Munich and Paris, The Troubles Archive OBG Belfast, the British Council Collection exhibition at London Whitechapel Gallery. The series was part of a major exhibition of Seawright’s work entitled ‘Anxious Landscape’ here at the Golden Thread Gallery in 2008. This work was purchased for the Golden Thread Gallery Collection thanks to support from the Ampersand Foundation . About the Artist Paul Seawright was born in Belfast 1965 and is currently Professor of Photography and Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Ulster. His photographs have been exhibited worldwide and are held many museum collections including The Tate, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, International Centre of Photography New York and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Accessibility The Upper Gallery is accessed via wheelchair accessible lift or by the stairwell. Large print versions of exhibition texts are available. Access videos of the gallery are available on our website here , with BSL and ISL signed versions. Please let us know if you have any questions or additional requirements, we are working hard to make the gallery as accessible as possible for everyone. Golden Thread Gallery is proud to hold an Arts & Disability Access Award 2025 Venue Accreditation. Golden Thread Gallery is supported by: