Anastassia Varabiova, BA (Hons) in Art, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology graduate, a finalist in the 2025 RDS Visual Art Awards exhibition which opens at the RHA on 21st November.
New Slane Castle Residency Award this year
Anastassia Varabiova from Ashbourne has been named as one of 10 finalists in the 2025 RDS Visual Art Awards (VAA) — one of Ireland’s most prestigious platforms supporting emerging visual artists.
The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) has announced the 10 finalists for the 2025 RDS Visual Art Awards (VAA). This year’s exhibition is particularly significant as it marks the 10th anniversary of the RDS Visual Art Awards and the 165th Anniversary of its most prestigious prize, the RDS Taylor Art Trust Award. The finalists, selected from the top BA and MA visual art graduates, will have their work featured in a major exhibition at the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) from 21st November to 25th January.
Finalists with the RHA curator, artist Niamh O’Malley, are, from left, Anastassia Varabiova, Susanne Horsch, Charlie Dineen, Niamh O’Malley, Vicky Ochala, Billie Adele O’Regan, Éile Medb Ní Fhiaich, Thais Muniz, Lily Mannion and Clara McSweeney.
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photocall Ireland
The RDS Visual Art Awards is recognised as an important platform for visual art graduates in Ireland, providing a launch pad for early professional practice. It offers a substantial prize fund of €56,000 along with important exposure, curated exhibition opportunities and career development support. The cornerstone of the awards is the RDS Taylor Art Trust Award, one of the oldest and most prestigious art prizes in Ireland. The VAAs exist to provide essential support to artists at a pivotal stage in their careers, helping to bridge the gap between art college and professional success. By offering substantial funding and a high-profile exhibition opportunity, the RDS contributes significantly to the success and vibrancy of Ireland’s art sector.
Anastassia Varabiova is a graduate of the BA (Hons) in Art, at Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology. The RDS Visual Art Awards Exhibition will be hosted at the RHA for the third time, placing the work of emerging artists in an internationally renowned gallery space. The exhibition will be designed by this year’s curator, artist Niamh O’Malley, who represented Ireland at the 59th Venice Biennale in 2022. The winners will be announced at the RDS Arts Award Ceremony at the RDS Concert Hall on Monday 8th December.
The exhibiting artists were selected following a rigorous and competitive two-stage process. A team of independent curators, appointed by the RDS, visited end of year degree shows across the country, longlisting 110 graduates who were then invited to apply for the awards. The final judging panel, responsible for shortlisting and selecting the 10 exhibiting artists, include Patrick Murphy (chair of the 2025 VAA panel; director, RHA Gallery), Rachel Joynt (RHA nominated judge), Christina Kennedy (IMMA nominated judge), Sarah McAuliffe (National Gallery of Ireland) and Niamh O’Malley.
There are six core prizes, in addition to two new awards open to the entire longlist of finalists, including the RDS Slane Castle Residency Award of €5,000 in value. For further information, visit: https://www.rds.ie/rds-foundation/arts/vaa
