DABF22 Opening Talk: A Caring Matter

Part talk, part book tour, Rosie will explore why certain publications are selected and what they offer in terms of ideas of care and the role of formal and informal publishing in building communities of solidarity and belonging. How can we converse meaningfully in the broader social and public care conversation? Over the past year, visual artist Marielle MacLeman and Dr Alastair Roy worked alongside Workhouse Union and VISUAL, Carlow, to strengthen approaches to care and collaboration in the organisation's community engagement and collaborative work. The theme and concepts of 'A Caring Matter' builds on this shared research.

Rosie Lynch is the Creative Director of Workhouse Union in Callan, Co. Kilkenny. Through creativity and co-design, the organisation brings people together around often complex issues, needs and challenges to help facilitate a meaningful transformation of towns, neighbourhoods and shared spaces. As a co-founder of Workhouse Union, she has been vital in developing the ten-year Nimble Spaces/Inclusive Neighbourhood engaged research and co-housing process. Rosie was a steering committee member of SOA's Roadmapping a Viable Community-Led Housing Sector for Ireland Research Project (2022/21) and is actively involved in community-led housing advocacy in Ireland. Rosie's upbringing in Camphill communities deeply informs the care and attention to inclusion in Workhouse Union's work and understanding of the complexity and challenges of community building and change. She has a BA in Fine Art, NCAD (2005) and an MA in Visual Arts Practice, IADT (2011).

This event takes place as part of Dublin Art Book Fair 2022: A Caring Matter, sponsored by Henry J Lyons and supported by Dublin UNESCO City of Literature.