Born in 1971 in Dublin, Coogan is a critically acclaimed artist whose works consist of live performances, videos and photographs. Coogan studied under Marina Abramović at Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Braunschweig. She received her PhD from the University of Ulster and as both of her parents are deaf, Coogan is an expert in Irish sign language. She explored the use of body and sound as essential parts of long durational performance.

In 2023, Coogan collaborated with Dublin Theater of the Deaf and Cork Deaf Community Choir to perform Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at Crawford Art Gallery, Cork. Coogan’s choice of Ode to Joy was that it was composed when Beethoven had gone completely deaf. As music played, Coogan gracefully conducted for deaf performers who created movements with energy.

For BAB 2024, Coogan performs Ode to Joy in collaboration with Thai adults and youths who have hearing disabilities. They participate as part of the silent choir in the concert led by Coogan at Wat Prayurawongsawat in Thonburi. At BACC, a canopy hung with second-hand clothes as a prop for her stage. Coogan and volunteers perform live for the audience. Preparation for performances is challenging between Coogan and Thai performers. As Thai and Irish sign languages differ, communication through body language becomes essential. The outcome is an extraordinary collaboration and synergy that bypasses language and racial barriers.