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, booking required. Book here. 

Join us for A Queer Eye on the Collection, a thought-provoking guided tour that invites visitors to view modern and contemporary art through a queer lens. Led by a passionate guide, this tour explores works by a vast array of artists, opening up conversations around identity, desire, resistance, and the politics of visibility in art.

This tour invites and encourages visitors to engage with artistic dialogue, their curiosities, and personal reflections along with informative interpretations and context facilitated by the guide. Visitors will be prompted to look closely, ask questions, and share perspectives – considering how queerness can shift and deepen our understanding of the artwork on display.

Whether you’re a seasoned gallery-goer or a curious newcomer, this is an opportunity to see modern pieces in new ways and uncover untold stories in the spaces between canvas and community.

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! Book here.

Join Wayne from Webster Irish Dance Academy for a fun, friendly, and inclusive Irish and Céilí 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.

Location: IMMA Courtyard
Free, all welcome! 

Jowy is a Dublin-based DJ with roots in Ghana, India, and Suriname, born and raised in Amsterdam. With a deep passion for sound and community, she has carved out a dynamic presence in the underground music scene. A graduate of the Skin & Blister DJ workshops, Jowy has gone on to support renowned artists including Bakey, Conducta, Jeff Mills, Sammy Virji, Jayda G, and many more.

Her sets are a high-energy blend of bass-driven genres, drawing from Afro-Caribbean inspired riddims, UKG, breaks, grime, drums, baile funk, and beyond. She’s been a staple on stages across multiple collectives and festivals such as Project 6, Open Ear, and AVA Festival.

Beyond the decks, Jowy is a dedicated community builder. She is the founder of foxgluv, a platform designed to create space for female, non-binary, and trans creatives from diverse musical and cultural backgrounds. She’s also the co-founder of AMPM, a collective devoted to nurturing community through a shared love of bass-heavy sounds—especially UKG, 140, and related styles—via workshops, gatherings, and events.

At the intersection of culture, rhythm, and inclusivity, Jowy is not just playing music—she’s building movements.