Photography

I began my journey with photography on a school trip to France. Then in college, photography was one of the modules of my multimedia course. I found it was the one thing I would do no matter what. From then on, the camera has stayed with me.

Beautiful People, Beautiful Place // Daoine Álainn, Áit Aoibhinn (2011-ongoing)

Begun in 2012 this is a collection of photographs from around Newcastle West as part of a documentation of the town, a celebration of who we are and an investigation of beauty. A selection has been exhibited twice in Newcastle West and a book is coming out soon (Autumn 2015)

I returned to Newcastle West (my hometown) and I was low, very low. I had to look deep inside myself and ask certain questions. I wanted to use my talents, my desires, my inquisitive nature, and my passion to benefit my life and the lives of others. So this project came out of it.

Early one morning in summer
In for the shopping from the countryside
Two neighbours from down the road
A wonderful character of the town. Bridgy passed away in 2014. RIP
One of my first photos of this project. I was so soooo afraid to ask him for his photo. He was very kind and helpful.
Behind the counter at Tadgh O’Connor’s Hardware store
Outside the salon with her hair done
Kit Shanahan and Mr.s Murphy
A neighbour
Sitting in the salon
RIP Pa. A great character in the town.
I visited a past teacher of mine in his workshop.
Beautiful sky filling my view on a bike ride
Sometimes there is lots of ugly in this world too.
Little harvest from my and Patricia Bourke’s shared veg patch.
Sometimes the sky just takes my breath away
Sitting happy in Jimmy Lee’s Bar, the Square.
My dad and his shed

Here is a link to a page with more information about this project. Click here – Beautiful People, Beautiful Place.

 A Ponderosa summer (2014)

I had the joy and good fortune to spend a summer (and more) in Ponderosa – Stolzenhagen, Germany. About an hours train ride from Berlin, near to the Polish Border, magic happens in a tiny village. see www.ponderosa-dance.de . Here are some photos to document that place and time. A photo cook book is coming soon!

Sublime tomatoes from the Polytunnel.
Salad Prep
Strawberry laughs
Rainbow chard brought it’s goodness to the plates of many.
Amazing happenings for the Creaps showing.
Under the blanket for creaps
Are you ready for creaps?
Part of the performance marathon
Some of the creations from the kitchen
Morning over Sotzenhagen
In the middle of summer
Getting ready for lunch in the midday sun
I spent many a happy cool shower under the hot sun and even the moon at night.
what you looking at?
I woke up early and came upon this delight.
Anyone want some salad? A fabulous installation by Shelley, Amelia, and Dani.
Ready to plant outside
Pure magic

SMASH Berlin – #1, #3, #5

I took part in the 1st SMASH Berlin in 2013, a 3 month collaborative experimental physical performance intensive. It was a truly life changing experience sending me on a journey through performance and dance and voice and body. I continued to study dance and performance in SMASH Berlin 3 AND 5 in 2014. Here are some of the photos. see www.smash-berlin.com for more information about the intensive.

In the middle of class. Bathanian, Berlin.
Taking time out before class
Dancing together in one of the exercises
Home performance by Lea.
Part of Lea’s performance
Simo’s photos.
Gloria took us on a journey
What’s on the other side of the wall.
Come here to me.
Cast adrift… the final week of our 3 month journey
mmmmmmmmnah. Julia.
Inside out. Lea
All aboard the ship.
Chicu and Gloria
Repetition
Ivan takes us for a walk
Laura has us on the clock.
Templehof as the sun sets – All part of the SMASH experience
Part of my journey almost everyday for 3 months.
New types of dance with Matthieu
Diego is bringing the ninja.
A quiet moment. The whole process was very transformative.
Near where I lived. Kreuzberg, Berlin
Working with materials. Maria – Final module.
Agora seminars.
The end of our first module with Dani. Magic.
Almost the end as the group hugs.
On the floor. A special place to be.
The power of the group was incredibly supportive for me.
Jordine’s home performance.
Very physical work was very rewarding.
Going to a different place in our final week.
Peachey telling us a story near the park.
Saying goodbye to Berlin after a magical 3 months of SMASH #1.
The flowers and colour were spectacular.
Tiergarten in the Autumn. Wonderful
stay behind the tape in Laura’s showing.
Saying goodbye to Lea
The group showings were intense, fun, and encouraging.
Documents that we worked from through out the 3 weeks of SMASH 3.
Peter imparting some of his history and experience to us. (SMASH 3)
In the beautiful studio at Eden. Maria (Smash 3)
Smash 3 – Ollie and Sara summed it up.
The teachers were incredibly knowledgeable and supportive in Smash 5 and the other smash intensives!
The group was full of a wonderful diverse group of performers and artists (Smash 5)
On the floor in Smash 5
Different partnering techniques in Smash 5
Movement and sound (Smash 5)
working with partners and sound (Smash 5)
We were fortunate to have a great group in Smash 5