In 2018, acclaimed artist Brian Palm took up the position of Artist in Residence at The Ireland Institute, based at the Pearse Family Home on 27 Pearse Street. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Brian Palm moved to Ireland in 1977 to attend the National College of Art and Design, thereby initiating his lifelong engagement with the area of Pearse Street where he was living.

During this time, he took extensive black and white photographs of Pearse Street, which now, forty years later, have become important historical records. Over the course of his career, Palm has made use of these photographs as source material in his work.

Palm's upcoming show, 'Near Pearse Street', features 13 artworks displaying Palm's unusual technique of combining photo collage and oil paint. The resulting pieces create evocative and imaginative urban landscapes that reveal the ways Dublin has changed over the years.

'Near Pearse Street' has been organized in conjunction with the Duke Street Gallery, where Brian Palm's work is regularly on display. The exhibition opens this Saturday, 4th May, at 3pm and is followed by an evening of art, music and poetry celebrating the lives of Patrick and William Pearse.

Brian Palm's studio space will be open to the public for the duration of the exhibition, which runs for one month.