Drawing Day | Drawing Room workshop + studio visit with artist John Graham

A drawing can be self-contained, like a room, an area defined by habitual marks and gestures. In his studio at Temple Bar Gallery + Studios, John will introduce his drawing practice and expand on this idea, with examples of rooms as artistic subjects and workplaces.

Encouraged to work freely and with no prior experience required, participants will be invited to make their own drawings, their own ‘rooms’, with the materials provided. Photographed and gathered into a single pdf document, the individual drawings will become part of a collective of complex, distinct, but related ‘drawing rooms’.

This is an adult workshop. An interest in contemporary art practice is advisable but no drawing experience is necessary as this is drawing based on experimentation rather than technical skills. Materials are provided.

John Graham is interested in the intrinsic qualities of drawing and printmaking and how mark-making, by hand or channelled through technological processes, relates to our shared experience. While formal and conceptual concerns include aspects of music, architecture and design, the recurring patterns of everyday life ground his work in a tangible reality. Recent solo exhibitions include Familiar Things, Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda (2024–25) and Hold to the now, the here, through which all future plunges to the past, RHA Ashford Gallery (2024). His recent artist’s book, Titles, Etcetera includes photographs, reproductions of artworks and multiple texts (2025).

This event is hosted as part of the annual celebration of National Drawing Day, an initiative of the National Gallery of Ireland.

Event location Information: This event will take place on two different floors accessible by stairs and lift. Seating is available. There is a semi-accessible bathroom. For further accessibility information please contact Learning + Public Engagement Curator Órla Goodwin.