CAIM
Curated by Jenn Ellis and Matilda Liu
Presented by Slane Castle
September 11th-30th, 2025. Slane Castle, Ireland.
Slane Castle Unveils CAIM: A groundbreaking contemporary art exhibition merging nature, sanctuary and heritage
Inaugural exhibition curated by global visionaries Jenn Ellis and Matilda Liu
Slane Castle, the iconic 18th-century estate in Co Meath, renowned for its legendary concerts and historic grandeur, has unveiled CAIM, an ambitious new contemporary art programme, with an inaugural exhibition from September 12th-30th 2025 that bridges international art, Celtic tradition, and Ireland’s natural landscape.
CAIM, derived from the Irish word for “sanctuary”, reimagines Slane Castle’s historic grounds as a dynamic crossroads of global art, ecological storytelling, and Ireland’s cultural heritage. Curated by Jenn Ellis, founder of Apsara Studio in London, and Matilda Liu of Meeting Point Projects, the exhibition will feature immersive installations, sculptures, and multimedia works by acclaimed emerging and established local and international artists, all engaging with themes of protection, ritual, and humanity’s bond with the natural world.
Inspired by ancient Celtic symbolism, CAIM reimagines Slane Castle’s historic grounds and state rooms as a sanctuary where art and landscape converge. The exhibition features work by a diverse roster of international and local artists, spanning sculpture, installation, painting, and multimedia, all responding to the castle’s ethos of ‘Nurture and Share’. From immersive site-specific installations nestled in the castle’s wooded demesne to thought-provoking works in its opulent interiors, CAIM revitalises Slane’s connection to its natural surroundings while fostering global artistic dialogue.
Jenn Ellis, founder of Apsara Studio, and Matilda Liu of Meeting Point Projects bring a bold, interdisciplinary approach to CAIM. “This art programme and inaugural exhibition is about creating thoughtful exchanges between local Irish artists, the international art world and the incredible natural heritage of Slane Castle – it’s a mix of local to global artistic dialogue, and a harmonious blend of art, space and context” says Ellis. “We’re weaving Slane’s rich heritage with contemporary voices to ask urgent questions about preservation and our relationship to the land.” Liu adds, “CAIM is more than an exhibition—it’s an invitation to experience art as a ritual, echoing the Celtic traditions that still resonate here.”
Artists have been selected from a rigorous open call encompassing a local and international jury as well as by invitation from the curators and through collaboration with galleries. The Open Call Finalists, from Ireland to China, Singapore to Lebanon, are: Lee Welch, Kathy Tynan, Melania Toma, Liling Liu, Laura Wilson. These are accompanied by further emerging to established voices such as Fergus Feehily, Niamh O’Malley, Omar el Lahib, Laura Gannon, Yijia Wu. Gallery support includes Saatchi Yates and Gillian Jason Gallery.
Complete artist list: Lee Welch, Kathy Tynan, Melania Toma, Liling Liu, Laura Wilson, Tim Millen, Fergus Feehily, Niamh O’Malley, Omar el Lahib, Laura Gannon, Yijia Wu, Polina Piëch, Margaret R Thompson, Elva Yi Liu, Leo Costelloe, Phoebe Evans, Emma Ponsonby, Fergus Martin
A New Chapter for Slane Castle CAIM marks a bold evolution for Slane Castle, expanding its legacy beyond music and whiskey into the realm of contemporary art. Alex The Marquess Conyngham, reflects on the estate’s reinvention: “For centuries, Slane Castle has been a place of gathering for music, celebration, and connection. With CAIM, we’re opening a new chapter, one where art becomes a bridge between our storied past and a sustainable future. This isn’t just an exhibition; it’s an invitation to experience the Slane Castle Estate as a sanctuary for creativity and contemplation, echoing the Celtic rituals that have shaped this land and our connection to it for aeons.”
About the team
Jenn Ellis FRSA is a curator and founder from Switzerland, Colombia and the UK based in London following five years in Hong Kong. Passionate about the considered meeting of art, space and context, she has created over the last decade meaningful projects and connections between artists, galleries and institutions globally. As the founder of curatorial studio APSARA, she has led projects from the UNESCO heritage vineyards in Burgundy to Frieze 9 Cork Street, and collaborated with international galleries and institutions including Silverlens, Sullivan+Strumpf, Proyectos Ultravioleta, Lehmann Maupin, Tate and South London Gallery. Ellis hold a Law Degree from King’s College London and a History of Art Degree from the University of Cambridge.
Matilda Liu is an independent curator based in London, with a global perspective shaped by her upbringing in the US and China. Her curatorial practice explores the intersections of contemporary art, design, culture, and cuisine, creating exhibitions and experiences that foster dialogue across disciplines. As the founder of Meeting Point Projects, Matilda curates exhibitions that frequently showcase emerging artists—often within three years of graduating from art school—alongside established artists from private collections. Her work is driven by an interest in cultural heritage, space, and human geography, seeking to expand the critical contexts in which contemporary art can be engaged with. Matilda holds a BA from Central Saint Martins and an MA in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art. She is a Platinum Patron of Tate and an advocate for supporting artists at all stages of their careers. Through her projects, she is dedicated to fostering cross-disciplinary conversations and creating meaningful encounters between art, design, and lived experience.
Alex Conyngham, co-founder of Slane Irish Whiskey, hails from the historic Conyngham family of Slane Castle. After studying Art History at Trinity College Dublin and working at Christie’s, he returned to Ireland in 2006 and launched Slane Irish Whiskey in 2009, later partnering with Brown Forman to open Slane Distillery in 2018. He continues his family’s legacy by hosting the iconic Slane Concerts and supporting Rock Farm Slane, an organic farm and eco-glamping site run by his wife, Carina. Alex blends heritage with innovation, ensuring Slane Castle Estate remains a thriving cultural and sustainable destination.
