laying fire (2023)
HD video, colour, sound; 16:23 minutes
Please note: The film contains language that some viewers may feel is unsuitable for young children.

laying fire by Jessica Lauren Elizabeth Taylor is an experimental memory work on intimacy. Using real life portraits of queer Black Norwegian femmes, the film explores revolutionary ways of being in partnership with our beloveds and ourselves. The film questions societal expectations of gender and sexuality and how to interrogate these expectations through a queer Black lens.

The initiative to archive narratives about queer Afro-Norwegian in the Nordics arose from questions about the politics of intimacy. Queer intimacy in all its forms is politicised in many societies around the world, from over 200 anti-LGBT bills filed in the United States in 2022 to more than 60 countries across the globe with national laws criminalising same sex relations. Images of queer Black intimacy are rarely shown in a positive, stable and affirming light, where stories from these intersecting communities are rarely amplified in mainstream media. laying fire proposes a rebuke to the policing and erasure of queer Black intimacy.

Location: Meet at IMMA’s Creativity Hub
Free, book here!

Join us for the Pride edition of a tour of the magnificent formal gardens and meadows, exploring the flora and fauna of IMMA and the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. We invite attendees to join us for coffee in Courtyard Café after the tour!

To book for our Pride Edition of our Biodiversity tour on 20 June, click here.

Location: Meet at Main Reception
Free, drop in, no booking required. 

Join us for a curated tour, A Queer Eye on the Collection, that offers a fresh perspective on artworks in IMMA’s Permanent Collection display IMMA Collection: Art As Agency.

Guided by LGBTQ+ voices, this experience explores how art has reflected, shaped, and sometimes hidden the stories of queer lives and identities. Delve into a reimagined narrative, where history, gender, and sexuality intersect in unexpected ways.

Through insightful discussion, this tour invites you to see the artworks in a new light, revealing the diverse and often untold histories within our collection.

Location: Matheson Creativity Hub.
Free, drop in, no booking required. 

Enjoy some creative time with your family with our Pride special edition of our Family Explorer Art workshops. Based on artworks from IMMA’s exhibitions, families can discover their inner artist while having fun and creating amazing masterpieces. Led by our Visitor Engagement Team, this is a wonderful family experience. Art materials are provided by IMMA.

IMMA Explorer Art workshops is a drop in session which takes place from 2pm – 4pm. We would like to invite families to join us for our LGBTQ+ inclusive céilí at 4pm.

Location: The People’s Pavilion
Free, all welcome! 

Join Wayne from Webster Irish Dance Academy for a fun, friendly, and inclusive Irish and Céilé dancing class! In this class, we’ll cover the basic Irish dancing steps and learn some fun ceilí dances like Shoe the Donkey and The Walls of Limerick. This class is open to everyone — no matter your experience or background.

Wayne has been dancing since he was five years old and has won many awards, including the Leinster Championship. For the past three years, Wayne has been organising Irish dance and ceilí classes specifically for the LGBTQ+ community, creating a warm and supportive space where all are welcome. Whether you’re completely new to Irish dance or have some experience, this is the perfect chance to have fun, learn something new, and connect with others in a joyful and inclusive environment.

For more information on Wayne’s classes, you can check out this article: Meet the queer Irish dancer bringing LGBTQ+ friendly classes to Dublin

Location: Matheson Creativity Hub.
Free, booking required. Book here.

Join Finn Reddy for a hands-on workshop diving into queer theory, alternative media, and the rich history of zines as a form of self-expression. You’ll create your own zines and collages in a welcoming, supportive space — no materials or artistic experience needed. All welcome!

Biography
Finn Reddy is a multidisciplinary artist and illustrator whose work explores queer identity, storytelling, and community through zine-making and visual media. With a Master’s in Critical and Creative Media, their practice blends traditional and digital illustration, graphic design, and self-publishing, with a focus on accessible, narrative-driven works rooted in queer theory and lived experience. Active in Dublin’s art and zine scenes, Finn is passionate about creating spaces for shared expression and alternative media.