Belfast Exposed & Centre for Contemporary Photography, Melbourne, explore institutional racism
28th March, 2022
We, Us, Them is a new collaborative exhibition between Belfast Exposed and the Centre for Contemporary Photography, Melbourne, which acts as a platform through which seven female artists explore personal reflections on communal history, identity and place, supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. The exhibition at Belfast Exposed is now available to view and continues until 21st May 2022, with a parallel exhibition underway simultaneously at the Centre for Contemporary Photography in Australia.
The exhibition features five of Australia’s contemporary female photographers and videographers, as-well as Belfast artist, Deirdre Robb and socially engaged artist, Lesley Cherry. Through the lens of these artists, and thanks to support from the British Council, this exhibition hopes to provide a respectful reflection on the role the Irish Travellers and the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities play in society, their place in history and the shaping of their respective countries and communities. This international exhibition aims to connect and promote indigenous languages and cultures, acknowledging the positive changes and achievements of such communities in surviving and adapting to their changing environments.
Belfast artists Deirdre Robb and Lesley Cherry present a hybrid photographic and audio installation, collaboratively developed with Irish Traveller women. Opposing the prejudiced experiences by these women, the artists created a celebratory and observational response to their cultural values, ways of living, and the future of their communities. Incorporated into the artwork are images from the Belfast Exposed Travellers archive reflecting on their heritage and present-day social issues. This project amplifies the female voices from Traveller communities, and considers their place in history and in shaping their culture and country.
Commenting on the collaboration with the Melbourne Centre for Contemporary Photography, in Australia, Deirdre Robb, from Belfast Exposed said,
“This is an exceptional and exciting project to be immersed in. Working with the Melbourne team and Lesley Cherry, this programme will explore the role of Irish traveller and Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through photography. We are delighted to be working with the local traveller community here who are allowing us into their daily lives, helping reflect their lived experiences as a First Nation community. As artists, we are exploring the prejudices they experience through the exhibition. We want it to be a celebration of the culture and history of these communities. This is sure to be thought provoking and I hope the beginning of a respectful discussion on the contribution of First Nation communities to society globally.”
Adam Harding, Director with Melbourne Centre for Contemporary Photography, added,
“We, Us Them’ asks us how we see a community, see those that live with us, share our values, experiences and still be invisible, exploring how artists, women, migrant and first nation communities document themselves we hope to confront institutional racism. Learn to see again, be better, embrace the two cultures of our institutions and celebrate the joy between them the artists and the communities they document."
Patricia Lavery, Visual Arts Development Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, added,
“The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to support Belfast Exposed. This is a very important exhibition which celebrates women artists and really highlights the calibre of our artists here in Northern Ireland. The fact that Belfast Exposed has been able to partner and showcase work internationally is fantastic for our visual arts sector and I would encourage everyone to go along and experience this powerful exhibition.”
The We, Us, Them exhibition at Belfast Exposed continues until 21st May 2022, visit www.belfastexposed.com for gallery opening times.