Silvina Sisterna named first recipient of visual arts residential bursary

Silvina is an Argentinian visual artist and socially engaged practitioner based in Dublin. Her artwork explores the collective and individual experiences of migrant women from Latin America in Ireland through photography, moving images and text. The selection panel commended her thoughtful and committed approach to her work and to the communities she collaborates with in her practice.

Facilitated by Business to Arts, the new annual Mason Hayes & Curran Bursary at Fire Station Artists’ Studios recognises the challenges facing emerging artists in the current housing and economic context. The bursary will support one visual artist per year for the next three years with a secure, subsidised, self-contained living and working space in Dublin city, alongside access to studio facilities, production resources, technical support and mentorship.

Silvina will commence the 12-month bursary from mid-July this year.

She commented:

Receiving this award is very timely. Like all Dubliners and particularly Dublin-based artists, the precarious nature of housing is always a worry. This award comes at a time when I was facing another eviction and feeling uncertain about what the next year would look like. I am incredibly grateful to Fire Station Artists' Studios and Mason Hayes & Curran for this opportunity.

For the first time in my artistic career, I will have a place where I can focus on making work without constantly worrying about housing, moving, or juggling multiple pressures. That kind of stability is rare, and it will make an enormous difference to both my life and my practice.

I am excited to spend the next year at Fire Station Artists’ Studios developing new work, learning from other artists and being part of such a vibrant and supportive community.”

Christine O’Donovan, Partner and Chair of our Art Committee, said:

We are very pleased to support Silvina as the first recipient of this award. Secure space is a serious challenge for many early career artists in Dublin, and practical support at the right time can make a real difference.

Support for the visual arts has been an important part of our CSR activity for many years. We hope this new programme gives artists the stability to focus on their work and develop their practice."

This initiative builds on our long-time support of the visual arts in Ireland. Our art programme ranges from commissions and acquisitions to events and sponsorships, including our partnership with the RDS Visual Art Awards, now in its 10th year.

Learn more about our CSR activity