Dublin's Complex arts venue closes after eviction, highlighting infrastructure crisis in Irish art scene

On 15 January 2026, The Complex, a multi-artform venue situated in Dublin's north inner city, left its warehouse following the expiration of its lease. Since its inception in 2017, the organization offered studios, rehearsal areas, a gallery, and an auditorium. Despite a campaign against the eviction that received backing from local politicians and the Minister for Culture, no legal safeguards were in place. This closure significantly affects Dublin's cultural landscape, particularly in live music and experimental art. Curator Mark O'Gorman curated programs that included prominent exhibitions such as 'Banana Accelerationism' (2024) and 'God' (2025). Established after the 2008 recession, many artist-led spaces have shut down, leaving Dublin's visual arts dependent on temporary events amid a tough property market.