Hoaretraits Ep. 9: Zeitgeist Irland 24 artist Mary Kelly

Hoaretraits is a new series by photographer and podcaster Neil Hoare, that presents contemporary Irish artists that are part of Zeitgeist Irland 24 – the year’s cultural programme of contemporary arts from Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland in Germany. Conceived of by Hoare as ‘audio portraits’, the podcasts explore, from the perspectives of the individual artists, themes of creativity, imagination and craft. The podcast features conversations with a diverse range of Irish artists living in both Ireland and Germany.

For Episode 9, Neil talks to Mary Kelly. Kelly is a Berlin-based Irish actor, playwright, and theatre-maker whose work explores themes of identity, family, and the human condition, deeply rooted in her Irish heritage. Her plays have been produced internationally and published by Nick Hern Books (London) and Stinging Fly Press (Dublin). She has performed extensively in Ireland, Germany, and beyond, with recent credits including ‘Happy Days’ at English Theatre Berlin, directed by Samuel Beckett’s associate Walter D. Asmus as part of Zeitgeist Irland 24, and a production at The Gate Theatre Dublin. Currently directing In ‘My Cult Era’, premiering at Schwartze Villa Steglitz on November 24th, Mary will begin a three-month residency as Artist in Residence at the Paul Drude Scientific Research Institute this December.

Podcaster Neil Hoare is a multidisciplinary Irish artist living in Berlin with his dog Púca. His most recent photographic work ‘A Heimat away from Home’ is a series of portraits commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland in Germany documenting the Irish who made Germany their home since Ireland joined the EU 50 years ago. The experience of photographing so many people across Germany and hearing their stories led directly to the creation of Hoaretraits.