Write a commentA selection of works by Sean Hillen, an internationally known artist, who is originally from Newry, is on show in an exciting temporary exhibition at Newry and Mourne Museum until 14th November 2010. One of the events arranged to accompany this exhibition will be a lecture and tour of the exhibition by the artist on Thursday 7th October 2010 at 8.00pm at Newry and Mourne Museum.
Born in Newry in 1961, Sean Hillen studied in London at the Slade School of Fine Art in the early 1980s. While living in London in the 1980s, Hillen produced a highly original series of photomontages which he titled LondoNewry, A Mythical Town. Juxtaposing coloured tourist images of London with Hillen’s own black and white photographs of Newry during the 1980s, these works are Hillen’s own personal response to The Troubles in the Newry area. His response to The Troubles stimulated other series of photomontages such as The Professionals, Newry Gagarin and several other works, examples of which are included in the exhibition and will be featured in the lecture.
In the lecture and tour, which is titled, From LondoNewry to Irelantis, Sean Hillen will discuss the background to the creation of the photomontages, his beginning in documentary photography and how he used this medium to capture images of life in the Newry area, stimulating a personal response to the conflict. He will provide an insight into how different types of images and events challenge him and inspire his work, particularly the sources of inspiration behind Irelantis, a critically-acclaimed series of photomontages which focuses on Ireland during the years of the Celtic Tiger.
“This is an exciting opportunity for the public to hear an internationally-respected artist discussing his own work,” says Noreen Cunningham, Curator of Newry and Mourne Museum. “It is rare for an event of this nature to take place and it will be a great chance for the public to meet Sean Hillen and learn more about the background to his art”. There is an admission charge of £5 for this lecture and tour.
If you wish to book or require further information, please contact the Museum at 028 30313177 or email museum@newryandmourne.gov.uk or see http://www.seanhillen.com
Newry and Mourne Museum is open to the public seven days a week with admission free of charge. For opening hours, information on events and exhibitions, other services and bookings please phone 028 3031 3178 or visit www.bagenalscastle.com.
