In 2023, Creative Ireland Westmeath supported over 20 creative projects in communities across the county. Here, photographer Emma O'Brien talks about her experience running 'Where We Are Mullingar', a collaborative project with artist Jurgita Stuckaite and the Ukrainian community in Mullingar.
The Project is called Where We Are and it involved a series of Photography workshops with the Ukrainian Community now living in Mullingar, culminating with an Exhibition. I had been in touch with the leaders of the newly created community group and registered charity, Ukrainian Community Mullingar and a creative project was discussed, and I was invited to deliver a workshop exploring identity and place through documentary photography.
Members of the Ukrainian Community participating in the photography project
The aims were to help people integrate into their new community, express their feelings, and be included socially. Photography is an incredibly rewarding and useful medium through which to explore self-expression and place. Photography's ubiquity also made it an accessible and nonthreatening way into art for participants.
I wanted to use photography as a tool for the Ukraine Community to explore and integrate into their new community, using cameras we would not only learn the skills and artistic qualities of the medium, but we would be outside, in the town and surrounds, learning about the area and meeting more people, I was particularly interested in introducing documentary photography to allow participants understand the power of this medium for self exploration and exploration of place. Using photography to document this exceptional and difficult experience they are going through can be a tool for healing as well as all the other benefits around expression and building connections with people and place.
Definitely working with the workshop participants, getting to know them, hearing their stories and developing great friendships. It was also a real highlight to see their work exhibited in the library, really making the group visible in Mullingar in a big cultural centre where 100s of people can see their work. We had a lovely launch with a great turnout, and it was so rewarding to see their pride in their work and to see them get recognition for their work from friends and community.
Members of the Ukrainian Community participating in the photography project
Art has the power to bring people together, transcending cultural, social, and economic boundaries. By exploring the town through photography participants have integrated more into their new community. And on the other hand having their work displayed in the public library may have impacted viewers from here to maybe take time to reflect on the experience a person who has had to flee war and come here to Mullingar is going through, this can hopefully open peoples minds and hearts to the experience of migration. Participants commented that trough this project to got to know Mullingar better, made new friends and improved their English, I think this quote from a participant Max Pinko says it more eloquently than I ever could;
“We beginners from the Ukrainian community in Ireland embarked on a special photo workshop and exhibition. In the workshop, we learned the art of photography, supported by an experienced mentor. As newcomers, we formed a tight-knit group within our community, inspiring and encouraging each other.
Soon, our photographs, showcasing our unique perspectives on life in Ireland, adorned the library walls. It was amazing to see our images spark conversations and emotions. These real moments became a bridge between our Ukrainian community and our Irish neighbours, fostering deeper connections and cultural understanding.
In a short time, we left a lasting impression, showing that photography is a powerful tool for storytelling and building community bonds."
Participants presented new works made in the workshops alongside archival images from their own collections of life in Ukraine, the works include portraits, still life, landscape and street photography taken here in Mullingar and in the Ukraine. The archival images show us life in Ukraine before the war, from a beautiful colourful still life of a typical meal, to the urban landscape and Rural natural landscapes as well. These images allow Local people to see Ukraine in a different light than the typical media images we see of war and destruction. The work is also a powerful reminder of how their lives have changed so dramatically since the war and their displacement.
This project was supported by Creative Ireland Westmeath through the Westmeath County Council Arts Office.
