Skip to content


Susan Macwilliam book sphere

Susan MacWilliam (b. 1969, Belfast, Northern Ireland) lives and works in Dublin, Ireland. Working with video, photography and installation MacWilliam’s work explores obscure and overlooked histories and considers perceptual phenomena and the world of the paranormal and supersensory.  Through anecdote, reconstruction and detailed editing MacWilliam’s works explore forms of portraiture and interpretation, and provide a historical visual record of cases within the history of parapsychology and psychical research. The works consider the world of the paranormal, the supersensory and the tradition of psychical research. With an interest in that which is on the periphery of the mainstream and which falls beyond conventional fields of science and psychology MacWilliam has developed an extensive body of work, exploring a range of phenomena including dermo optical perception, table tilting, psychic abilities and mediumship. 

MacWilliam’s video works have been exhibited internationally and are held in the Drama and Literature Section of the British Library’s Sound Archive. In 2009 Susan MacWilliam represented Northern Ireland at the 53rd Venice Biennale with her solo show REMOTE VIEWING. Solo exhibitions include Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda (2017), FE McWilliam Gallery, Banbridge (2016); QUAD, Derby (2014); NN Contemporary Art, Northampton (2013); Open Space, Victoria, BC (2012); aceart inc, Winnipeg (2010); Gimpel Fils, London (2008); Jack The Pelican, New York (2008); Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin (2004); Cornerhouse, Manchester (2001) and Project Arts, Dublin (1997). Group exhibitions include Jan van Eyck Academie, Maastricht (2015); The Agency, London (2015); Heidelberger Kunstverein, Heidelberg (2014); NGBK, Berlin (2013); Kunsthalle Krems (2012); Deichtorhallen, Hamburg (2011); Kino Kino, Sandnes (2011); Presentation House Gallery, Vancouver (2010); Villa Merkel, Esslingen (2010); The Photographers’ Gallery, London (2007) and Chapter Arts, Cardiff (2003). 

For full CV, please contact gallery.