Institutions of Home, Niamh Smith

An ongoing series that conceptualises photography as an act of prayer with a central focus of the work being concerned with Irish histories.

The work reflects on multiple concerns dealing with national identity, nationhood and place-making. Although the work journeys through lands of trauma, it also is an identification of how wonderfully resilient and strong people can be in the familiarity of the ordinary. The use of a subdued colour palette in the ordinary, paints with feeling. The ordinary inspires the emotion, the affection and curiosity within the work. A sense of elation, to co- exist with the pain. This spirit becomes a procession of contemplation, one that attempts to move with a rhythm towards an interpretation of Irish histories and their manifestations.

niamh-smith.com