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Kerlin Gallery is delighted to announce
“Look at the Harlequins!”
a solo exhibition by Isabel Nolan.

Isabel Nolan - “Look at the Harlequins!” - Exhibitions - Kerlin Gallery

‘Stop moping! … Look at the Harlequins!’
‘What harlequins? Where?’
‘Oh, everywhere. All around you. Trees are harlequins, words are harlequins. So are situations and sums. Put two things together – jokes, images – and you get a triple harlequin. Come on! Play! Invent the world! Invent reality!’

— Vladimir Nabokov, Look at the Harlequins! (1974)

Ahead of Nolan’s forthcoming representation of Ireland at the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026,  this exhibition offers an insight into the artist’s practice characterised by its shifting movement between mediums, where sculpture, textiles and works on paper are held in lively dialogue, celebrating and communing with historical figures and works of art that speak to us across centuries.

Isabel Nolan - “Look at the Harlequins!” - Exhibitions - Kerlin Gallery

The works in this exhibition look, in particular, towards the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance –  an era marked by transformative technological changes, pandemic, religious and political conflict, not unlike today. Nolan seizes upon small, perhaps overlooked, details from historic works that reveal interpersonal dynamics, or reflect upon the place of humans within the world. A towel draped over a wall adds an unexpected touch of domesticity and intimacy to a religious scene by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, for instance; while the legendary Wolf of Gubbio, allegedly pacified by St Francis, ruminates on the dynamic between humans and animals, the wild and tame, the divine and the profane.

Isabel Nolan - “Look at the Harlequins!” - Exhibitions - Kerlin Gallery

Across these works, Nolan continues her probing investigation into how humans orient themselves in a vast and unstable universe, in disorienting times. Themes of cosmology, mortality, belief and wonder resonate through drawings and objects that are grounded in craft yet open onto expansive intellectual terrains. Her works give generous form to fundamental questions about the ways the chaos of the world is made beautiful, or given meaning through human activity.  In concert, her artworks feel equally enchanted by and afraid of the world around us, expressing humanity’s fear of mortality and deep need for connection. We are invited to consider the fragile architectures of knowledge and the playful unreliability of invention: a world where, indeed, harlequins might yet be found.

Selected Works

Master Editorial Thumbnails
Isabel Nolan Eurydice (dead again...) and Orpheus, 2022 water-based oil on canvas

Isabel Nolan
Eurydice (dead again...) and Orpheus, 2022
water-based oil on canvas
70 x 60 x 2 cm / 27.6 x 23.6 x .8 in

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Isabel Nolan Splendid and Pointless, 2025 10mm solid round steel, paint, 4 elements

Isabel Nolan
Splendid and Pointless, 2025
10mm solid round steel, paint, 4 elements
2/2 from a variable edition of 2, each edition in different colours
240.5 x 119.7 x 119.7 cm / 94.7 x 47.1 x 47.1 in

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Isabel Nolan Untitled pencil, watercolour and marker on paper

Isabel Nolan
Untitled
pencil, watercolour and marker on paper
29.5 x 20.5 cm / 11.6 x 8.1 in 
40.4 x 30.3 x 3.2 cm / 15.9 x 11.9 x 1.3 in framed

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Isabel Nolan The wolf who made a city tremble c.1216 (After Sassetta), 2023 hand-tufted 100% New Zealand Wool, 15 mm pile

Isabel Nolan
The wolf who made a city tremble c.1216 (After Sassetta), 2023
hand-tufted 100% New Zealand Wool, 15 mm pile
300 x 200 cm / 118.1 x 78.7 in   

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Isabel Nolan
For elsewhere, 2024
painted mild steel
260 x 146 x 1 cm / 102.4 x 57.5 x .4 in

Isabel Nolan
For elsewhere, 2024
painted mild steel
260 x 146 x 1 cm / 102.4 x 57.5 x .4 in

Inquire
Isabel Nolan Seven fingered wish, 2020 coloured pencil on paper

Isabel Nolan
Seven fingered wish, 2020
coloured pencil on paper
41.7 x 29.6 cm / 16.4 x 11.7 in
48.5 x 35.9 x 4 cm / 19.1 x 14.1 x 1.6 in framed

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Isabel Nolan Untitled coloured pencil on paper

Isabel Nolan
Untitled
coloured pencil on paper
29.5 x 41.5 cm / 11.6 x 16.3 in
36 x 48.5 x 3.8 cm / 14.2 x 19.1 x 1.5 in framed

 

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Isabel Nolan Fired Up, 2022 water-based oil on canvas

Isabel Nolan
Fired Up, 2022
water-based oil on canvas
170 x 140 cm / 66.9 x 55.1 in

 

Inquire
Isabel Nolan Untitled coloured pencil on paper

Isabel Nolan
Untitled
coloured pencil on paper
29.5 x 41.5 cm / 11.6 x 16.3 in
36 x 48.5 x 3.8 cm / 14.2 x 19.1 x 1.5 in framed

Inquire
Isabel Nolan
Untitled
coloured pencil on paper
29.5 x 41.5 cm / 11.6 x 16.3 in   
36 x 48.5 x 3.8 cm / 14.2 x 19.1 x 1.5 in framed

Isabel Nolan
Untitled
coloured pencil on paper
29.5 x 41.5 cm / 11.6 x 16.3 in   
36 x 48.5 x 3.8 cm / 14.2 x 19.1 x 1.5 in framed

Inquire
Isabel Nolan Narcissus’ pool (for SMcK), 2017 steel and paint

Isabel Nolan
Narcissus’ pool (for SMcK), 2017
steel and paint
5 x 204 x 204 cm / 2 x 80.3 x 80.3 in

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Isabel Nolan Untitled collage paper clip coloured pencil on paper

Isabel Nolan
Untitled
collage paper clip coloured pencil on paper
29.5 x 41.5 cm / 11.6 x 16.3 in
36 x 48.5 x 3.8 cm / 14.2 x 19.1 x 1.5 in framed

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Isabel Nolan  we forget everything 2020 coloured pencil on paper 42 x 59.4 cm unframed 16.5 x 23.4 in unframed

Isabel Nolan
we forget everything, 2020
coloured pencil on paper
42 x 59.4 cm / 16.5 x 23.4 in
48.5 x 66 x 3.8 cm / 19.1 x 26 x 1.5 in framed

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Isabel Nolan Untitled, 2022 coloured pencil on paper

Isabel Nolan
Untitled, 2022
coloured pencil on paper
42 x 29.7 cm / 16.5 x 11.7 in
51.5 x 38.1 x 3.9 cm / 20.3 x 15 x 1.5 in framed

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Isabel Nolan
hot dense and smooth, 2020
coloured pencil on paper
42 x 59.2 cm / 16.5 x 23.3 in
55.8 x 73 x 3 cm / 22 x 28.7 x 1.2 in framed

Isabel Nolan
hot dense and smooth, 2020
coloured pencil on paper
42 x 59.2 cm / 16.5 x 23.3 in
55.8 x 73 x 3 cm / 22 x 28.7 x 1.2 in framed

Inquire
Isabel Nolan Eurydice (dead again...) and Orpheus, 2022 water-based oil on canvas

Isabel Nolan
Eurydice (dead again...) and Orpheus, 2022
water-based oil on canvas
70 x 60 x 2 cm / 27.6 x 23.6 x .8 in

Isabel Nolan Splendid and Pointless, 2025 10mm solid round steel, paint, 4 elements

Isabel Nolan
Splendid and Pointless, 2025
10mm solid round steel, paint, 4 elements
2/2 from a variable edition of 2, each edition in different colours
240.5 x 119.7 x 119.7 cm / 94.7 x 47.1 x 47.1 in

Isabel Nolan Untitled pencil, watercolour and marker on paper

Isabel Nolan
Untitled
pencil, watercolour and marker on paper
29.5 x 20.5 cm / 11.6 x 8.1 in 
40.4 x 30.3 x 3.2 cm / 15.9 x 11.9 x 1.3 in framed

Isabel Nolan The wolf who made a city tremble c.1216 (After Sassetta), 2023 hand-tufted 100% New Zealand Wool, 15 mm pile

Isabel Nolan
The wolf who made a city tremble c.1216 (After Sassetta), 2023
hand-tufted 100% New Zealand Wool, 15 mm pile
300 x 200 cm / 118.1 x 78.7 in   

Isabel Nolan
For elsewhere, 2024
painted mild steel
260 x 146 x 1 cm / 102.4 x 57.5 x .4 in

Isabel Nolan
For elsewhere, 2024
painted mild steel
260 x 146 x 1 cm / 102.4 x 57.5 x .4 in

Isabel Nolan Seven fingered wish, 2020 coloured pencil on paper

Isabel Nolan
Seven fingered wish, 2020
coloured pencil on paper
41.7 x 29.6 cm / 16.4 x 11.7 in
48.5 x 35.9 x 4 cm / 19.1 x 14.1 x 1.6 in framed

Isabel Nolan Untitled coloured pencil on paper

Isabel Nolan
Untitled
coloured pencil on paper
29.5 x 41.5 cm / 11.6 x 16.3 in
36 x 48.5 x 3.8 cm / 14.2 x 19.1 x 1.5 in framed

 

Isabel Nolan Fired Up, 2022 water-based oil on canvas

Isabel Nolan
Fired Up, 2022
water-based oil on canvas
170 x 140 cm / 66.9 x 55.1 in

 

Isabel Nolan Untitled coloured pencil on paper

Isabel Nolan
Untitled
coloured pencil on paper
29.5 x 41.5 cm / 11.6 x 16.3 in
36 x 48.5 x 3.8 cm / 14.2 x 19.1 x 1.5 in framed

Isabel Nolan
Untitled
coloured pencil on paper
29.5 x 41.5 cm / 11.6 x 16.3 in   
36 x 48.5 x 3.8 cm / 14.2 x 19.1 x 1.5 in framed

Isabel Nolan
Untitled
coloured pencil on paper
29.5 x 41.5 cm / 11.6 x 16.3 in   
36 x 48.5 x 3.8 cm / 14.2 x 19.1 x 1.5 in framed

Isabel Nolan Narcissus’ pool (for SMcK), 2017 steel and paint

Isabel Nolan
Narcissus’ pool (for SMcK), 2017
steel and paint
5 x 204 x 204 cm / 2 x 80.3 x 80.3 in

Isabel Nolan Untitled collage paper clip coloured pencil on paper

Isabel Nolan
Untitled
collage paper clip coloured pencil on paper
29.5 x 41.5 cm / 11.6 x 16.3 in
36 x 48.5 x 3.8 cm / 14.2 x 19.1 x 1.5 in framed

Isabel Nolan  we forget everything 2020 coloured pencil on paper 42 x 59.4 cm unframed 16.5 x 23.4 in unframed

Isabel Nolan
we forget everything, 2020
coloured pencil on paper
42 x 59.4 cm / 16.5 x 23.4 in
48.5 x 66 x 3.8 cm / 19.1 x 26 x 1.5 in framed

Isabel Nolan Untitled, 2022 coloured pencil on paper

Isabel Nolan
Untitled, 2022
coloured pencil on paper
42 x 29.7 cm / 16.5 x 11.7 in
51.5 x 38.1 x 3.9 cm / 20.3 x 15 x 1.5 in framed

Isabel Nolan
hot dense and smooth, 2020
coloured pencil on paper
42 x 59.2 cm / 16.5 x 23.3 in
55.8 x 73 x 3 cm / 22 x 28.7 x 1.2 in framed

Isabel Nolan
hot dense and smooth, 2020
coloured pencil on paper
42 x 59.2 cm / 16.5 x 23.3 in
55.8 x 73 x 3 cm / 22 x 28.7 x 1.2 in framed

Ireland at Venice

Isabel Nolan
with Curator Georgina Jackson and The Douglas Hyde and Producer Cian O'Brien
will represent Ireland at the 61st international art exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia in 2026.

We are delighted to announce the launch of new editions. All proceeds from sales go to support Ireland at Venice.

with thanks to
Stoney Road Press and Space Forms
for their support in the production of these works. 

Isabel Nolan
Dawncare, 2025
6 plate Intaglio print
edition of 60, 10 AP, 3 PP
40.5 x 50 cm / 15.9 x 19.7 in (unframed)

produced with Stoney Road Press in support of Ireland at Venice

€ 500 ex VAT 

Isabel Nolan
Dawncare, 2025
6 plate Intaglio print
edition of 60, 10 AP, 3 PP
40.5 x 50 cm / 15.9 x 19.7 in (unframed)

produced with Stoney Road Press in support of Ireland at Venice

€ 500 ex VAT 

Inquire
Isabel Nolan
Towel, 2025
solid round steel, paint,
edition of 10 + 1 AP
85 x 45.5 x 2 cm / 33.5 x 17.9 x .8 in

produced with Space Forms in support of Ireland at Venice

€ 6,000 ex VAT
Isabel Nolan
Towel, 2025
solid round steel, paint,
edition of 10 + 1 AP
85 x 45.5 x 2 cm / 33.5 x 17.9 x .8 in

produced with Space Forms in support of Ireland at Venice

€ 6,000 ex VAT

Isabel Nolan
Towel, 2025
solid round steel, paint,
edition of 10 + 1 AP
85 x 45.5 x 2 cm / 33.5 x 17.9 x .8 in

produced with Space Forms in support of Ireland at Venice

€ 6,000 ex VAT

Inquire
Isabel Nolan
Dawncare, 2025
6 plate Intaglio print
edition of 60, 10 AP, 3 PP
40.5 x 50 cm / 15.9 x 19.7 in (unframed)

produced with Stoney Road Press in support of Ireland at Venice

€ 500 ex VAT 

Isabel Nolan
Dawncare, 2025
6 plate Intaglio print
edition of 60, 10 AP, 3 PP
40.5 x 50 cm / 15.9 x 19.7 in (unframed)

produced with Stoney Road Press in support of Ireland at Venice

€ 500 ex VAT 

Isabel Nolan
Towel, 2025
solid round steel, paint,
edition of 10 + 1 AP
85 x 45.5 x 2 cm / 33.5 x 17.9 x .8 in

produced with Space Forms in support of Ireland at Venice

€ 6,000 ex VAT

Isabel Nolan
Towel, 2025
solid round steel, paint,
edition of 10 + 1 AP
85 x 45.5 x 2 cm / 33.5 x 17.9 x .8 in

produced with Space Forms in support of Ireland at Venice

€ 6,000 ex VAT

Isabel Nolan 
Splendid and Pointless, 2025
10mm solid round steel, paint, 4 elements
2/2 from a variable edition of 2, each edition in different colours
240.5 x 119.7 x 119.7 cm / 94.7 x 47.1 x 47.1 in 

Isabel Nolan 
Splendid and Pointless, 2025
10mm solid round steel, paint, 4 elements
2/2 from a variable edition of 2, each edition in different colours
240.5 x 119.7 x 119.7 cm / 94.7 x 47.1 x 47.1 in 

about the artist

Photo: Ste Murray

Photo: Ste Murray

Isabel Nolan
b. 1974, Dublin, Ireland

Isabel Nolan has an expansive practice that incorporates sculptures, paintings, textile works, photographs, writing and works on paper. Her subject matter is similarly comprehensive, taking in cosmological phenomena, religious reliquaries, Greco-Roman sculptures and literary/historical figures, examining the behaviour of humans and animals alike. These diverse artistic investigations are driven by intensive research, but the end result is always deeply personal and subjective. Exploring the “intimacy of materiality”, Nolan’s work ranges from the architectural – steel sculptures that frame or obstruct our path – to small handmade objects in clay, hand-tufted wool rugs illuminated with striking cosmic imagery, to drawings and paintings using humble gouache or colouring pencils. In concert, they feel equally enchanted by and afraid of the world around us, expressing humanity’s fear of mortality and deep need for connection as well as its startling achievements in art and thought. Driven by “the calamity, the weirdness, horror, brevity and wonder of existing alongside billions of other preoccupied humans”, her works give generous form to fundamental questions about the ways the chaos of the world is made beautiful or given meaning through human activity.

BEDROCK, 13th Liverpool Biennial, UK

BEDROCK, 13th Liverpool Biennial, UK

In 2026, Nolan will represent Ireland at the 61st Venice Biennale. Significant solo exhibitions include Château La Coste, Aix-en-Provence (2023); Void Gallery, Derry (2022); Solstice Arts Centre, Navan (2021); Boxes Art Museum, Guangzhou (2019); Kunstverein Langenhagen, Germany (2018); Grazer Kunstverein, Graz (2017); Douglas Hyde Gallery (2017); Contemporary Art Gallery (CAG), Vancouver (2016) ; Mercer Union, Toronto, Canada (2017) and Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, Ireland (2014).