Views from
Ulster,
Peacock Gallery, Craigavon
4 – 29 June 1984
Views from
Ulster Opening at the Peacock Gallery, Craigavon
© Victor Sloan
Views from Ulster
is currently on show at the Peacock Gallery in Craigavon. The
exhibition was curated by Colin Osman, editor of the prestigious
Creative Camera, published in London. This first major survey of
contemporary Northern Irish photography, allowed participants to
explore, experiment and show a different side of the province than
that usually exported by photographic journalists.
With the support of
the gallery’s Visual Arts Group, the seventeen exhibitors hope to
try and bridge the gap. Among them are local artists Victor Sloan,
Susan Forsythe, Tony Corey and Michael McKee. Featured alongside are
works by such well-known figures as Bill Kirk and Derry news
photographer Willie Carson. Other artists include Robert Ashby, Jim
Bennett, Colin Boyle, Patrick Crockart, Errol Forbes, Maurice
Hobson, Hazel McNeill, Peter Neill, Barry McInerney, Leslie Stannage
and Ian Richie.
The strength and
variety of photographs on display is both exciting and encouraging,
making a visit well worthwhile. Creative Camera is devoting an issue
to the work of the exhibitors, and the exhibition will travel to
other venues.
Colin Osman,
editor of Creative Camera, writes in the publication which
accompanies the exhibition:
Photography is
unique among the arts in that it is both local and international and
both contemporary and historical. Every time a family snapshot is
made a small part of history is recorded. It may be so local as to
interest the family and that interest arises from its subject
matter, not its artistry. Great artistry can lift the same subject
matter to universal appeal.
That same snapshot,
processed in a matter of hours or even as an instant picture,
records the contemporary moment. One hundred years from now, if it
survives, it will be a historical document. Photography is the art
medium unique in achieving this double duality because of the
technical veracity of the photographic image.
Northern Ireland,
because of the political struggle, has received an abundance of
international photographers who have taken their pictures and left,
scarcely adding anything to the Irish photographic community. The
result has been a slow growth in photographic perception
particularly aware of international photojournalism, but conscious
of its explosive tendency and even more conscious of its
limitations. These limitations of photojournalism, often imposed by
deadlines and ‘media pressure’, give a distorted view of life and
culture in Northern Ireland, and this is why it was a particular joy
for me to assist in an exhibition which goes a little way to redress
the balance.
Viewing is open
until June 29, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Peacock
Gallery and Craigavon Arts Committee wish to thank Reihill McKeown
and Ormeau Bakeries for their support
Craigavon Visual
Arts Group in association with Craigavon Arts Committee and
Craigavon Borough Council.
Supported by the
Arts Council of Northern Ireland
Peacock Gallery
Pinebank House Arts Centre
Tullygally Road
Craigavon
Co. Armagh
BT65 5BY
Northern Ireland
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