Dunamaise Arts Centre is delighted to host a new photography exhibition of portraits by Laois artist, Annie Holland. Over the past 2 years, Annie has begun conversations with older people from rural Laois born before or just after 1922, taking portraits of them and having conversations about the past and the present. These conversations create the framework for her exhibition ‘Children of the Free State’ which takes place at Dunamaise Arts Centre.

Using photography and video, Annie focuses on how the process of documentation and storytelling can itself create space, physically and emotionally, for real dialogue and the narration of personal stories – past and present. She also explores old family photos, dating back generations, as the only tangible bridge that connects the past with the present and her exhibition of portraits that will connect current and future generations. Annie believes that the past of any human being is never permanent, but constantly being reconstructed in the present.

Speaking about the upcoming exhibition and her conversations with older people in the county, Annie said, ‘I am very well placed to gain a valuable insight into the changes that have taken place in rural life over the generations as I am not an outsider and hopefully have gained the trust of my participants where they can speak openly and intimately with me.’

The photography and video materials are being donated in perpetuity to Laois County Library Digital Repository and Archive.

The exhibition is supported by Dunamaise Arts Centre and Creative Ireland Laois, as part of the Creative Ireland Programme 2018-2022 in partnership with Laois County Council.

For more information on Annie Holland, go to anniehollandart.com