News

11.10.2023 Tripwire Timeline – 1970-1988 (A Belfast Tale) Dameon Priestly

Tripwire Timeline. 1970-1988 (A Belfast Tale)’ Dameon Priestly
— a Belfast-born, London-based artist — is bringing his most personal work back home (Belfast Exposed Gallery, November 2nd). I’ve been a fan of his work since we happened upon each other on a mutual friend’s Facebook thread, where an old black and white photograph taken by my da had been shared. It showed me as a pup (c. 1976), standing against a wall plastered with event posters in Belfast, including one for the Abercorn and another at the King’s Hall. We got to talking and I was chuffed to hear he’d enjoyed my book Reconstructions: The Troubles in Photographs and Words (2019). But it wasn’t until a couple of months back that I learned how deeply one poem in particular from the collection had resonated with him. This was ‘Mongrel Tongue – Between you, Be It!‘, a piece inspired by my father’s photograph of Seamus Heaney standing in a turf bog in Bellaghy, wearing his own father’s hat and coat. Something about it spoke to him and he subsequently shared it with his community on social media.
I had been thinking of approaching Dameon to consider collaborating on a project I have in the works, and when I did, he came on board without hesitation. I couldn’t have been happier. As chance would have it, Dameon had also been planning to ask me if he could use some lines from Reconstructions in some of his work that will be on show at his forthcoming exhibition. I instantly agreed, trusting it was in good hands, and eager to see how he’d choose to present it. I was and I am, honoured. It’s hardly surprising that we’ve since become friends, and I was lucky to be able to make it along to the opening night to celebrate Dameon’s most personal work to date. He’s a treasure. If you’re in town on November 2nd, do try and get down to the Belfast Exposed Gallery.
DETAILS:
Exhibition dates: Thursday 2 November – Saturday 18 November
Venue: Belfast Exposed Gallery, 23 Donegall Street, Belfast BT1 2FF
Opening night: Thursday 2 November 6-9pm
Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday 11am-5pm
Contact: Mr Conor O’Brien, [email protected] – Tel. 02890 230965
Dameon Priestly, [email protected]
Opening night:

08.22.2023 ‘Belfast – The Story of a City and its People’ (By Feargal Cochrane)

I have finally (customs/Brexit anyone?) received my signed copy of Prof. Feargal Cochrane’s new book Belfast – The Story of a City and its People. It really looks the part, everything from the choice of colours and font, to the chosen cover photograph – and the book itself is lovely to hold. An added bonus was to find a verse of one of my poems titled Carson-Parson, from my own book, Reconstructions, The Troubles in Photographs and Words, included in Feargal’s book – a piece inspired by my father, Bobbie Hanvey’s iconic photograph of the Reverend Ian Paisley standing elevated and next to his idol, Edward Carson, at Stormont.

Steafán Hanvey’s political analysis is as deft here as his poetic voice when assessing Paisley’s character and impact as a leader within the Unionist community:

A bellicose blunder-bussing scattergun of a man,
you seemed to claim that the word defiance
was of your own minting.
I wrack my brain trying to think
of a word for defeated, yet defiant,
and ‘Ulster’, was all I could muster. (Excerpt from ‘Carson-Parson’)

 

Feargal, whom I had the pleasure of meeting on National Poetry Day at the University of Kent in September, 2019, where I’d been invited by Dr. Nadine Ansorg of CARC (the Conflict Analysis Research Centre) to perform and read some of my poems, also makes time to praise my work. The following is an excerpt from his book:

Reconstructions is intelligent, empathetic, razor-sharp (often razor funny) and, for anyone committed to the concept of conflict transformation and peacebuilding, inspiring, too. Like the peace process itself, there is a constructive ambiguity within the images and words presented. We are pointed in the right direction, but not given the ‘answers. Thank you Feargal! What a lovely surprise.

Also documented in Belfast is an unexpected encounter that the pair of us had with a couple of locals who picked-up on our distinctive northern accents. That section Feargal aptly names A Canterbury Tale, has to be read to be believed. No spoilers though! I’m really looking forward to reading the book in its entirety.

And thanks again to Dr. Nadine Ansorg for extending the invite, only four months before the UK officially withdrew from the EU.

 

 

 

 

 

 

07.31.2023 Études irlandaises review of Reconstructions: “The Troubles” in Photographs and Words

This review was brought to my attention only recently. Definitely worth sharing. Thanks to the reviewer, Mr. Oliver O’Hanlon.

 

The result is striking

The poems offer an extra layer of meaning for readers who want to grasp the painful reality of what life was like for many people at the time.

Given the perfect marriage of photograph and poem in this book and the sheer volume of images to pick from, it is clear that another book (or more) of photographs and poems is called for.

 

https://journals.openedition.org/etudesirlandaises/8699

10.29.2022 Steafán featured in Abloy’s new ‘Keyvolution’ commercial ‘The Big Heist’.

Tough times require tougher measures. So, in addition to turning my hand to photography, I threw in my lot and thought I’d stick my neck out once more in the moving picture industry. Wolf from the door and all that. I might be acting the maggot, but I’m not clowning around!

Abloy commercial ‘The Big Heist’ (Keyvolution)

 

Director: Pekka Hara DOP: Daniel Lindholm Casting: Ansku Sinisalo / Helsinki Casting Costume design: Anne-Maria Ylitapio Makeup design: Jenny Jansson Sound design: Akseli Soini / El Camino Helsinki Set design: Pietari Bagge Edit: Vesa Tiukkanen Grade: Henri Pulla / Pulla Post VFX: Gabriel Boicel / Osasto Production: Osasto Agency: SEK

 

 

 

01.19.2022 New documentary on Brian Friel includes nineteen of my father, Bobbie Hanvey’s photographs

This is one of two of my favourite photos taken of Brian, by my da.

Photograph: Bobbie Hanvey