In her work she rapidly travels back and forth considering the mundane to the marvellous: exploring; gathering; avidly pursuing lines of enquiry beyond the everyday world. This ceaseless and restless investigation is driven by a curiousity that delves into a variety of subjects from Max Kaemper’s motives for cave exploration to Eileen Gray’s position on architecture, and thenceforth to Joesph Conrad’s, Heart of Darkness. Living and haunted by these subjects, points of connection begin to emerge allowing the narrative take shape and direction. Preoccupations of late exhume an interest in the lineage of ideas we have inherited, while considering the contexts we revisit them in. Often drawn to the hidden, overlooked and undefined, Quinlan’s work harbours exemplary accounts of individuals, brave enough to seize time, hold it and fill it with responsibility. Drawing an understanding along their lines of enquiry, presents the occasion to structure her thoughts and mediate on matters, before venturing forward.
Recent exhibitions include Public Improvisations, Fabbrica del Vapore, Milan, Experience Pommery #5, Domaine Pommery, Reims, Come Together, Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin and I am always touched by your presence, (Dear), IMMA, Dublin. Last year she was selected for The Fondazione Ratti Programme led by Yona Friedman and in 2006 was awarded the AIB Prize. Forthcoming exhibitions include PS1, MOMA, New York at the invitation of Elena Bajo and a project curated by Leonhard Emmerling, St. Paul St. Gallery, Auckland. In 2010, together with Lee Welch she will curate an exhibition at The RHA, Dublin. She is in the collection of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Arts Council of Ireland and several private collections.