Belfast Exposed is an independent, non-profit organization located in the vibrant Cathedral Quarter of Belfast. Its origins trace back to 1983, in the wake of the profound social upheaval and the harrowing experiences
now a flourishing visual arts institution, began representing photographers from diverse backgrounds. Simultaneously, it formed a cross-community steering committee and extended its reach by staging exhibitions across various neighborhoods of Belfast. In the ensuing years, new
“One of the most rewarding aspects of leading an art gallery is the opportunity to contribute to the cultural enrichment of our community and beyond….”
during the 1980-1981 Hunger Strikes, educator, trade union advocate, and community activist Danny Burke rallied a group of local photographers to launch a photography exhibition that would unveil a perspective of Belfast from within its very heart. This groundbreaking exhibition, aptly named ‘Belfast Exposed,’ featured an impressive collection of over 200 photographs and slides, offering a comprehensive documentation of the daily life within the city, primarily from the vantage point of the working-class community. Making its debut in October of 1983 at Conway Mill, strategically located on the nationalist side of Belfast’s prominent ‘Peace Wall,’ the exhibition quickly garnered attention from every corner of the city. Its later
photographic techniques and approaches blossomed in Northern Ireland, offering invaluable tools for documenting and reimagining a rapidly evolving region. Nevertheless, the principles and aspirations set forth in the original 1983 exhibitions have remained the guiding ethos that continues to define its work to this day. As a highly recognized pillar of the community, Belfast Exposed aims to keep its vision alive by adapting to contemporary culture, growing with the community, and catering to the needs of the new generation. When asked about what themes or
concepts the gallery aimed to highlight through its curated exhibitions and their significance to today’s art scene, Deirdre Robb, CEO of Belfast Exposed, was very clear about the gallery’s aspirations. “While community and global experience of conflict remain an important focus of our work, the ongoing challenge is to keep our exhibition program relevant and accessible for a new generation of audiences and photographers” – Deirdre Robb (CEO)
relocation to the Bank of Ireland Gallery in Dublin received praise from Seamus Heaney, who noted the “powerful, democratic feel” embedded within these photographs. The photographs vividly portrayed a shared experience of unemployment, substandard housing, and economic hardship, all of which were exacerbated by sectarian tensions yet tempered by the resilient humor of working-class Belfast. Following the exhibition’s resounding success and with a commitment to bridging divides within the city, Belfast Exposed,
—DEIRDRE ROBB (CEO).
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