It was an incredible pleasure to witness the creative journey of Richard Malone over the 4 weeks of his research residency at Blackbird.

On March 18th we hosted a show of his work in progress. Richard and I talked about his process, his comittment to the queer and the rural and different aspects of this residency. His work ethic is compelling, playful and meticulous.

As part of his stay I organised various meetings with other artists, professionals and people whom I thought could contribute to Richard's exploration of ideas, materials and techniques. A big thank you to all of them: Sinead O'Gorman (Cow House Studios), Vivian Brody (dance), Elaine Harrington (ceramicist and visual artist), David Begley (visual artist), Luis López-Sangil and Marta Oñate Gutiérrez (soil scientist & plant physiologist), Philip Connaughton (choreographer and performer), Miriam Cushen (Cushendale Woolen Mills), BIll Kelly and Pauline Power (Kelly's Hotel), the students and teachers of 5th and 6th class of Wexford Educate Together, and Oisin O'Connell.

Richard Malone has since been awarded the Golden Fleece Award for the Visual Arts. This is Ireland's largest independent award for visual an applied arts. The organisers recognised how Malone's work intentionally crosses disciplines and questions the nature of defined labour and the expected societal gender or class roles that they are given.

We wish Richard every success in his upcoming projects and career ahead. It was a privilege to watch his great talent, hard work, dedication, playfulness and kindness.