Martina Mullaney
dal 11/3/2004 al 11/4/2004
Segnalato da
11/3/2004
Martina Mullaney
Gallery of Photography, Dublin
We 'turn in' for the night when we need comfort and rest. But for people without a home, this is not such an easy option. Beds can be found in night shelters and hostels, but they are only a temporary solution to a more fundamental issue: that is a sense of isolation, which is one of the most devastating effects of a sustained period of homelessness. Isolation and loneliness, manifest in so many aspects of life is a central theme in Martina Mullaney's work.
TURN IN
We 'turn in' for the night when we need comfort and rest. But for people
without a home, this is not such an easy option. Beds can be found in night
shelters and hostels, but they are only a temporary solution to a more
fundamental issue: that is a sense of isolation, which is one of the most
devastating effects of a sustained period of homelessness. Isolation and
loneliness, manifest in so many aspects of life is a central theme in
Martina Mullaney's work.
Martina's work is directly informed by her experience of working closely
with clients of night shelters and hostels over recent years. In the
accompanying 'Dinner for One' series the decline of the ritual of the daily
evening meal and the growth in the number of people who eat alone further
explores this theme.
An integral part of this exhibition is an installation of images produced by
residents of night shelters and hostels around Dublin. Following discussions
with Martina, participants were encouraged to express their concerns and
individual experiences in photographic form. As co- conspirators in this
project participants give us direct insight into the plight of the homeless.
This collaborative process continues to inform Martina's own practice.
'Turn In' comprises lavish and elegant large-scale colour prints. Contrary
to its austere theme, the images initially appear luminous and seductive,
yet upon closer inspection the photographs reveal evidence of alienation and
melancholy. Here the detritus of occupation in the form of graffiti, scant
belongings and the stark atmosphere of the institution are omnipresent.
Finding beauty in these spaces raises ethical issues about the
representation of the dispossessed. In not giving us sentimentalised
portraits of the marginalised, Mullaney, in a very apposite way, provokes
critical and aesthetic debate about how any artist can adequately represent
the experience of other people, alone, impoverished or otherwise.
Artists Talk: Martina will give a talk at 1.15pm on Friday 12th March.
Admission is free, all are welcome.
Martina Mullaney and the Gallery of Photography would like to thank the
residents and staff at the following organisations for their contribution to
Turn In: Canal Road / Ranelagh Road - Dublin Simon Community; Cobra House
and Whitworth Road - Fr Peter McVerry ; Back Lane Hostel - St Vincent de
Paul; The Extension, Spokes, The Coffee Shop, Georges Hill - Focus Ireland;
Cedar House - Salvation Army; John Cluskey / Kodak and Derek McCauley and
Jack Gilligan, Arts office, Dublin City Council.
About the artist: Martina Mullaney is an artist from Co. Mayo. She studied
Fine Art at Sligo Institute of Technology and Photography at the School of
Art, Media and Design, University of Wales College Newport. She has
exhibited widely in the UK and is currently undertaking an MA at the Royal
College of Art, London.
A Ffotogallery, Cardiff, Wales, Touring Exhibition
Outreach Project organised in collaboration Dublin City Council
Supported by Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government,
Dublin City Council and Kodak (Irl)
In the picture an image from 'Turn In'.
The Gallery of Photography is a not-for-profit arts organisation supported
by The Arts Council, Dublin City Council and by corporate and individual
donations.
Gallery of Photography
Meeting House Square
Temple Bar
Dublin 2
Ireland
Tel. +353-1 6714654
Fax. +353-1 6709293