Decoys & Ghosts. In April 2025, the Golden Thread Gallery in Belfast unveiled ‘Decoys and Ghosts,’ an ambitious exhibition that delves into two core themes that have shaped Rainey’s sculptural practice over the past decade: imitation and revisiting. Throughout his career, materials, their histories, and the processes they undergo have been fundamental to Rainey’s work, serving as a lens through which he explores these ideas.
Rainey’s approach to exhibition staging is particularly noteworthy. He crafts environments and designs experiences that encourage cultural interactions, transforming simple installations into dynamic spaces where groups of different cultures can forge relationships. In his hands, plinths transcend their traditional role, evolving into dioramas or becoming viewing platforms that invite audiences to engage physically—climb, explore, and immerse themselves.
‘Decoys and Ghosts’ 
at the Golden Thread Gallery (by John Rainey) presents a compelling mix of retrospective pieces and new works, anchored by a significant large-scale installation that epitomises these themes. This exhibition stands as Rainey’s most comprehensive survey to date, offering a rare opportunity to witness the evolution of his practice, highlighting recent innovations alongside the works that have shaped his journey thus far.
I was interested in the exhibition and visited on Wednesday 4th June 2026, but felt that I was missing something when I came away – I was looking for more interpretation of the work, but maybe that is just me.
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