Galway Traveller Movement / Nora Mongan
Madhuri Singh
Marking fifty years since punk emerged as a disruptive cultural force, TULCA 2026: Veruca Salt considers what it means to know who you are and know what you want. Curated by Sinéad Keogh, the festival approaches punk not as a fixed historical style, but as a living method rooted in DIY culture, collective action and self-determination.
At Galway City Museum, two commissions bring together identity, cultural memory, craft and representation. Galway Traveller Movement / Nora Mongan present a traditional beady pocket reflecting both Traveller heritage and changing opportunities for Traveller women, while Madhuri Singh presents a commissioned portrait in graphite.
Galway Traveller Movement – Nora Mongan
Nora Mongan is a proud Traveller activist and dressmaker based in Galway. She learnt her craft in the Traveller training centre and is known for her skill in the community. Nora returned to education later in life and is currently studying for her masters in Family Support. Nora has created a beady pocket, which is a traditional handmade pocket worn around the waist by Traveller women. The pocket held everyday items and valuables, and each one was unique to that woman. Nora has included symbols, to accompany traditional beads and medallions, to highlight the increase of opportunities for Traveller women in today's society.
Madhuri Singh
Madhuri Singh is an artist originally from India and currently based in Ireland. Trained at the Government College of Art in Chandigarh, India, she developed a strong foundation in classical drawing and painting techniques. Working across oil paint, acrylics, graphite, and pastels, her practice combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary approaches. Influenced by the works of Rembrandt and John Singer Sargent, her work explores the emotional depth and complexity of human experience. Through portraiture and figurative imagery, she seeks to capture expression, personality, and atmosphere, creating works that invite reflection and emotional connection. Her artistic process often begins with abstract ideas that gradually evolve into more representational forms, guided by intuition and observation. Particular attention is given to the interplay of light and shadow, which enhances depth, mood, and emotional resonance. She is currently based in Ireland, where she works as an art instructor at Drawing School Dublin. Her practice continues to bridge classical traditions with contemporary sensibilities, aiming to celebrate the beauty, vulnerability, and richness of human experience.
Galway City Museum
Spanish Parade
Galway, H91 CX5P
Access
Wheelchair accessible
Accessible toilet
Seating available
Accessible parking (Saint Augustine Street)
Opening Hours
7–22 November 2026
Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–4.45pm
Closed Sunday and Monday
Getting There
10-minute walk from Eyre Square
Bus: Spanish Parade stop
Paid street parking
TULCA Festival of Visual Arts
Veruca Salt
Curated by Sinéad Keogh
6–22 November 2026
Galway, Ireland
Image: Beady Pocket by Nora Mongan, courtesy of the artist.
Acknowledgements: Galway City Museum; Galway Traveller Movement; Adam Stoneman; Damien Ó Domhnallain; participating artists and lenders.