Jo Killalea is a visual artist based in Swinford, Co Mayo. A concern with sustainable development and the interconnections between social, economic and environmental issues at local and global levels is the perspective she brings to her practice.

She graduated in Fine Art from ATU Mayo Campus (formerly GMIT) with a distinction in 2013 and with a first class honours degree in 2019. She was awarded the Academic Achievement Award and Ballinglen Arts Foundation Student Bursary, which included a residency in February 2020.

A solo exhibition on peatlands ‘not yet saved’ was held at Ballinglen Gallery in August 2021. She also had a solo exhibition on inequality ‘Picture Inequality: Challenge to Indifference‘ at the Customs House Studios & Gallery in Westport in 2013. Mixed media paintings and sculptural installations on mental health were shown in ‘Off the Wall’ at ATU Mayo Campus in 2015. Works on homelessness were exhibited in ‘The State We’re In‘ at the MART Gallery Dublin in 2016 and at Rua Red Spring Open Exhibition in 2023.

Paintings have been selected for curated group shows including the RHA Annual Exhibition in 2023, 2018 & 2012; Mayo Day 2018 & 2019; Leitrim Sculpture Centre Summer Show 2018; Cairde Visual Arts at The Model, Sligo 2018; Mayo Artists Show 2021, 2017, 2015, 2013; Lonely Planet at The Luan 2015; Mayo God Helps Us at Claremorris Gallery 2015; Claremorris Open Exhibition 2014; The RDS Student Art Awards in 2012.

She has been awarded residencies at Ballinglen Arts Foundation (2020); Cill Rialaig Artists Retreat (2023,2022, 2021, 2019, 2017 & 2014); Tyrone Guthrie Centre (2022 & 2015); GMIT Mayo Campus (2015). Her paintings are held in significant public collections including Mayo County Council (2013) and the Office of Public Works (2018).