On the 4th November 2022 the Mary Magdalene Experience by Grace Dyas opened at the Rua Red Gallery. Up until now, men have painted the picture of Mary Magdalene, Grace Dyas’s new film installation ‘A Mary Magdalene Experience’ tries to correct the record once and for all. The film is grounded in a mythical Tallaght, starring Jordanne Jones (I USED TO LIVE HERE, METAL HEART, YOU ARE NOT MY MOTHER) who plays Tina Malone, a woman determined to clear her name.
‘Grace uses the lost gnostic gospel of Mary Magdalene as a jumping off point for her script and cleverly steers the audience through an abstract, contemporary retelling of a familiar narrative exploring the female experience. Visual composition, poise and lighting spark visual memory of historical painting references throughout.’ (Maolíosa Boyle)
Grace wrote, directed, and designed the work, inviting a creative team of women artists and activists to collaborate with her including Clare O’Connor, Susan Quirke, Ella Clarke, and Jaro Waldeck. The result is an interpretation of Mary Magdalene, finally told by women.
A Mary Magdalene Experience is the final instalment in The Magdalene Series at Rua Red, curated by Maolíosa Boyle. The series features the work of five of Ireland’s leading artists Amanda Coogan, Jesse Jones, Grace Dyas, Alice Maher and Rachel Fallon. They were commissioned by Rua Red in 2018 to create work in response to the history and legacy of Mary Magdalene and to propose a new world uncurbed by religious, political, and societal doctrine; a world viewed through the lens of contemporary feminism and feminist theology.
It runs until the 3rd of February 2023. The Magdalene Series is generously supported by the Creative Ireland Programme South Dublin, The Arts Council and South Dublin County Arts Office
