The Complex Dublin

❌ The Complex Off-Site ❌

A huge thank you to everyone who joined The Dust by Maïa Nunes with Brendan Jenkinson, commissioned by The Complex and presented at Kirkos.

For her live performance, Maïa distilled over a year of intensive research into an hour-long interplay of improvised movement and sound, rooted in the layered history of The Complex’s former site and its connection to St. Mary’s Abbey. Central to this research was a dialogue with archaeologist Edmond O’Donovan, which brought to light a remarkable carved Dundry stone fragment depicting a Monk in Prayer, discovered just metres from the gallery’s former entrance.

This fragment became a defining motif within Maïa’s work. In response, she undertook stone carving under the guidance of eighth-generation stonemason Killian O’Flaherty in his Wicklow workshop, engaging in the rigorous, repetitive act of carving as both material research and memorial gesture.

Thank you to Maïa, Brendan, Kirkos, Edmund, Killian, all collaborators, and to everyone who came along to witness The Dust.

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The Dust marks the beginning of The Complex Off-Site visual arts programme for 2026. In addition to Maïa’s performance, the programme includes three further exhibitions presented across Ireland in partnership with collaborating organisations. Announcements regarding the forthcoming exhibitions will be made in the coming weeks.
nu.nes
Image credit Patrick Fleming.
Proudly supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Dublin City Council.

The Complex will close following the failure of Government and Dublin City Council to secure a viable resolution for an arts organization that has operated continuously in the north west inner city for 18 years.

During that time, The Complex developed into a nationally and internationally recognised centre for contemporary Irish arts, supporting hundreds of artists, freelancers, technicians, designers, producers, and staff, and providing sustained cultural infrastructure in an area of the city with limited access to the arts.

Despite prolonged engagement and repeated assurances, no workable solution was delivered. The loss of The Complex represents a failure of cultural policy, accountability, and long-term planning within the public system. 

Our efforts have also been frustrated by an inflexible landlord, focused exclusively on achieving vacant possession, to maximize the redevelopment value of the site.

This outcome stands in direct contradiction to stated commitments to support Irish arts, cultural employment, and equitable access to cultural life in Dublin.

Best wishes,
Vanessa Fielding
Artistic Director/CEO

Some photos by studio member of the rally to last December. Hundreds attended at short notice to deliver a petition which received over 15,000 signatures in less than 2 weeks.

Emergency motion 'to save The Complex' passed by Dublin City Council | Hotpress The Complex received a notice of eviction in December.