Inspired by a childhood spent living on the edge of the Curragh, artist Brian Cregan has created a series of photographs using pinhole photography. The cameras used in the work have been constructed from everyday objects and adapted to become light-proof boxes with pinhole apertures; in essence, cameras in their simplest form. Some of these include an old binoculars case that was used watching the races at the Curragh, an artillery shell from the Curragh Camp and a picture frame. They are based on the centuries-old idea of the camera obscura, an optical device used to create paintings and drawings.

Working from a darkroom, setup at Newbridge Educate Together primary school, Cregan has created images that seek to reconnect with the discoveries, experiments and failures of early pioneers in photography from the 1800s. Depicting diverse topography from woodlands to historical sites, the images also represent the rich heritage and landscape of the Curragh and surrounding areas. The artist will run a series of photography workshops during the exhibition, as well as a series of  exhibition tours explaining some of the ideas behind the work. For more information please see contact details below.

The exhibition will also feature a short film about the Curragh History Group and it’s museum in the Curragh Camp. For nearly twenty five years the group has been active in building up a collection of international significance as well as holding monthly talks and seminars about the Curragh and surrounding areas. Reggie Darling and Barbara Geraghty from the group kindly agreed to be filmed for what is hoped to be an extended project.

Brian Cregan is a lens based artist who explores the potential of photography to represent our relationship with landscape, natural history and the built environment.

He exhibits his work nationally and internationally, most recently at Highlanes Gallery as part of Beyond the Pale:The Art of Revolution in 2016. His work as an educator is integrated into his practice and often forms the inspiration for new work.

He is a member of of the pioneering Arts in Education Teacher Artist Partnership initiative that is developing artist/teacher partnerships in schools in Ireland and seeks to enhance the role of arts education in the school curriculum.

During a recent residency at Newbridge Educate Together School and funded by an Artist In Schools Residency Bursary Award from Kildare County Council the artist worked with two fifth class groups and teachers Ruth Corcoran and Róisín Ní Chaoimh. A selection of work from this residency will also be featured in the exhibition.

The project and exhibition has been funded by a Creative Ireland Bursary from Kildare County Council, with support from Riverbanks Arts Centre.