Troubles Art Touring Exhibition: Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum

Date: Saturday 11 May - Saturday 29 June 2019 | Venue: Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum | Free Admission 

Drawn from the art collection at National Museums NI, the Troubles Art exhibition provides a broad representation of responses to the Troubles by a range of artists from Northern Ireland and beyond. The subjects, themes and meanings of the works are diverse and offer the perspectives of the artists themselves.

Some works are direct responses to violence inflicted on innocent victims. Some are shaped by the social and political outlook of the artists. Others capture visual aspects of conflict and division. Together they evoke a variety of experiences and emotions and reflect on the causes, impact and complexity of the Troubles.

The exhibition explores a range of themes which are universal to conflict – such as suffering and loss, violence and destruction, imprisonment, sectarianism, traditions, territory, and life in the midst of turmoil. The unique perspectives of artists themselves offer opportunities to consider the Troubles and their effects in ways other than through history and politics. 

The touring exhibition comprises over 24 works, including paintings, drawings and photographs, from renowned artists such as Jack Pakenham, Rita Duffy and Joseph McWilliams. It explores a broad range of themes which are universal to conflict – such as suffering and loss, violence and destruction, imprisonment, sectarianism, traditions, territory, and life in the midst of turmoil.

The exhibition will include National Museums NI’s most recent acquisitions, including a series of images from acclaimed Magnum photographer, Donovan Wylie. Maze Demolition Series [Diptych], 2007 is Wylie’s record of the physical structure of the Maze prison over a six-year period, during its closure and eventual demolition. Other newly acquired works include Gladys Maccabe’s Funeral of Victim, 1969.

Visitors will also be able to view artwork from artists Joseph McWilliams (Rendezvous with Rainbow, 1976) and Victor Sloan (Holding the Ring, Portadown), based on an image for Sloan’s 1991 Circus, Portadown series.

 Running alongside the exhibition is a series of community engagement programmes enabling the public to respond to the exhibition and its themes through creative workshops, access to National Museums NI collections and artist led talks.

 
Troubles Art touring exhibition will run in the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum until Saturday, June 29. Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5pm. 

Troubles Art deals with themes of violence and division and their impact on individuals and society. If you have been affected by any of the content in this exhibition please contact WAVE Trauma Centre, 028 7126 6655.

Also touring Fermanagh County Museum (July – November 2019); The Market House, Monaghan (January & February 2020); Armagh County Museum (February – May 2020).