Tether Exhibition at Gallery MC Explores Irish Artists in New York

The group exhibition 'Tether - Irish Artists in New York' was presented at Gallery MC in Hell's Kitchen from February 17 to February 23, 2026. Curated and featuring work by artist Lisa McCleary, the show examined connections to Ireland maintained by contemporary artists of Irish descent living in New York City. The exhibition included a significant generational range of artists: George Bolster, Helen O'Leary, Martin Mullin, Mike Dowley, and the late Brian O'Doherty / Patrick Ireland. O'Doherty, the influential critic and artist who coined the term 'white cube,' was represented by his 1985 ink on paper work 'Purgatory (Rope Drawing #73),' on loan from his estate. Martin Mullin, whose studio is located above the gallery, contributed mixed media works from his 'Golden Book' series, measuring 40 x 30 inches. Helen O'Leary presented constructed wood sculptures, while George Bolster showed a large 2023 tapestry titled 'CDF: The Wanderer 2089.' Mike Dowley, based in Northern Virginia, exhibited intimate landscape paintings incorporating sand from the sites depicted, which were coastal areas of Maine. Lisa McCleary displayed a photorealistic painting from 2020, reproduced as a Giclée print, depicting a pandemic-era Uber ride in New York. The gallery's location in Hell's Kitchen, a neighborhood historically associated with the Irish-American community since the 19th century, added contextual significance to the exhibition's theme.