vernissage at 7 p.m. / 19.05.2023 - 10.06.2023 / Galeria Centrala / Plac Ratajskiego 6a, 61-726 Poznań
author meeting 20.05.2023 at 18.00 / photography workshop 20-21.05.2023
The first thing that comes to mind when recalling the conflict in Northern Ireland is the terrorist activities of the Irish Republican Army, and for many of us this is associated with the distant past. But for the people of Ulster, the "Troubles" are everyday life and functioning in an environment that is struggling with the trans-generational trauma caused by more than 30 years of conflict that ended in 1998.
"Not Surrendering" brings us closer to an almost completely unknown social group that has been marginalized for various reasons by British politicians, the royal family and the mainstream media.
Through determination and patiently gaining trust in a very hermetic environment, during more than a decade of observation, a unique picture of the daily life of British loyalists was created.
The book, "Not Surrendering," is a visual story about the struggle of loyalists for their own identity in post-conflict Northern Ireland. The documentary narrative introduces us to the daily life of the British working class and members of its illegal paramilitary groups, until recently considered terrorist organizations that still have recognition, sow fear and control the province.
In addition, by focusing on the registration of the space in which the book's characters live and the peculiarities of the "architecture of the cage," designed to separate the British from the Irish, the photographs also highlight the psychological state of siege of the residents of Northern Ireland's working class neighborhoods. The story also illustrates the atmosphere of hopelessness accompanying successive generations trapped morally and mentally in the unprocessed traumas of the past from which they fail to free themselves.
The publication and exhibition aims to bring knowledge about the integration processes of post-conflict societies, divided by territorial, national and religious differences.
It highlights the problems associated with the difficulties faced by non-governmental projects focused on working with troubled youth from families directly involved in the conflict who are recruited into paramilitary organizations or organized crime groups.
The material also illustrates the problems that arise during national identity celebrations, during which members of paramilitary organizations ostentatiously sow hatred against their Irish neighbors, which directly affects the indoctrination of the youngest who actively participate in numerous events of this type.
The year 2023 marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement that ended the conflict in Northern Ireland, an ideal time to emphasize the importance of the time it takes to work in post-conflict areas to try to restore stability to community life.
First layers of pallets at the Conway street bonfire. The most engaged constructors often spend a t least several hours daily on site; sometimes they start mustering up materials as early as January: wooden pallets, furniture or anything that can be set afire. Everything is gathered not far from the target site on which the towers will arise. Some of the bonfire structures contain quite a few tires, annually triggering stormy discussions in the local media about environmental protection; this, in turn, becomes a major argument against the British community of Northern Ireland. Year after year, step by step, community workers and NGO's work with local residents to remove tires from bonfires. Across the whole of Northern Ireland a few hundred structures come into existence each year, built in the British working-class neighborhoods to commemorate an English victory over the Irish in the 1690 Battle of the Boyne. Belfast 2018
Although the conflict between Irish and British in Northern Ireland officially ended in 1998 with the Good Friday Agreement, after 23 years of peace process - echoes back recurrently and significantly to this day. Even if the conflict's amplitude has significantly weakened, deep hatred divides most parts of the province. According to the Independent Reporting Commission report there are 12,500 existing British, illegal paramilitary members, formed during the conflict with the express intention of fighting the IRA. Those groups are still active and control most of the areas. Third generation from working class districts, still have big problem with unemployment, and since The Troubles the number of people who commit suicide in last two decades, is larger than people who were killed during the conflict. It clearly shows that the United Kingdom doesn't know how to fix it. From 2007 to 2013, the EU spent €2.4 billion on peace projects in the region and set community-building initiatives for 2014-20 (up to €229 million) on projects aimed at integrating Protestants and Catholics. After Brexit day, January 31, 2020 the United Kingdom is no longer a member of the European Union with an economic border at the Irish sea, which indicates that Ulster in the future will be part of Ireland. The majority of loyalists are against Irish unity, and British paramilitaries called Boris Johnson's deal with the EU a "Betrayal act." Whatever the longer-term implications, Brexit with the sea border will create an immediate crisis for the peace process. Picture description: Tourists come to Belfast and from the distance of double-deckers watch the reality of divisions in the city. This is the longest "peace wall" in Belfast, dividing Catholics from Protestants. Belfast 2010
Only a seweral pro-Brexit members of the public gathered at the front gates of Stormont Parliament Buildings for a 'Brexit Celebration' event at 11pm. In the referendum, England and Wales voted to leave but London, Northern Ireland and Scotland voted to stay. As a result the overwhelmingly majority of Irish nationalists voted to remain in the EU while Ulster loyalists voted to leave. Most of the loyalists and British illegal paramilitaries called the Boris Johnson deal with EU, with border at the Irish sea as "Betrayal act."
About the workshop
During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to look at the photographer's workshop as well as work on the photo series they create through individual and group consultations.
Based on the author's documentary projects completed in Northern Ireland, Italy and Ghana, you will learn, among other things:
- How to prepare for the implementation of long-term projects
- What to draw inspiration from when looking for reportage subjects
- How to draw up a work plan so as not to overlook its important elements
- How to choose the right equipment for implementation and photo processing
- we will also touch on issues including work ethics during the making of the reportage
- you will also learn ways to work while gaining trust in different social groups and working with people in intimate situations
- How to create multidimensional photography that contains not only visually interesting elements of the recorded world but also intrigue and layers of emotions accompanying the characters of our story
There will also be an opportunity to showcase the photos and materials that workshop participants will bring with them, hear feedback on them, and consult to help them take the right direction as they continue.
FOR WHO?
The workshop is mainly aimed at people who are conscious and skillful in the use of cameras. The meeting is intended for both professional photographers and aspiring amateur photographers interested in building a visual narrative with social and moral themes and creating engaged photographic subjects. The class is a great mix of lectures, discussions and multimedia presentations that will help you press the shutter button more consciously.
NOTIFICATIONS
To participate in the workshop, you need to submit your portfolio showing your interest in social and moral issues, consisting of 6-12 selected single photos or a set of 10-15 photos from a story you have started working on and send your application: bit.ly/Workshops_Smiejek
Please send materials as a wetransfer link or to a folder to: mariusz.smiejek@gmail.com and contact@fotspot.pl
Please do not send photo files in the body of the email or as attachments.
In the subject line of the message, please write: "Visual Storytelling Workshop - Portfolio (London or Poznan)".
jpg format, 1800pix long side, 72dpi resolution, Adobe RGB color space.
MARIUSZ ŚMIEJEK
A freelance documentary photographer, he focuses on long-term social issues, including daily life in post-conflict Northern Ireland (2010-2020) and the causes and consequences of migration from West Africa to Europe (2017-2022). Winner of many prestigious awards and honors in Poland and abroad, including National Geographic magazine (2011,2012,2015) Grand Press Photo (2017, 2018), IPA in the US and Sony World Photo Award. Author of many solo and group exhibitions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Hong Kong, Ghana and Poland. He teaches photography in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Ghana. His photographs have appeared in, among others: The New York Times, National Geographic, Time, Der Spiegel, The British Journal of Photography, FotoEvidence and many others. He has collaborated with Deutsche Press Agentur and Visum Images, among others.